A SCOTTISH Tory MP boasted that the UK Government is “rebalancing devolution” and working to legislate and spend for all UK nations before voting in favour of the Internal Market Bill last night.
Andrew Bowie, who represents West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, excitedly told constituents that the controversial power grab legislation will allow the Tories to “govern … in all corners of our United Kingdom”.
As well as giving Tory ministers the power to break international law by overriding the Withdrawal Agreement, the legislation gives Westminster power to stray into matters devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Last night, after the bill passed at third reading by 340 to 256, Ian Blackford said the bill will “rob the devolved governments of powers over devolved matters and hoard them in Westminster”, and also “signal a race to the bottom in food and environmental standards”.
READ MORE: Tory minister concedes Brexit bill is power grab on Scotland in car-crash interview
Tories have consistently stated that the post-Brexit plan does not remove powers from Holyrood, but in fact gifts the Parliament new abilities.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has long insisted that the legislation will see “scores” of new powers delivered to the Scottish Parliament.
However in his email to constituents, Bowie has a different take on the bill.
Taking aim at the SNP, the MP wrote: “They see extending the UK Government’s powers to allow us to spend on projects in Scotland as a bad thing. They are literally voting against more money being spent in Scotland, for Scots. They would rather Scotland was poorer, as long as it meant the UK Government had less power. Incredible.
“This is a very good bill that will unite our country.”
After defending the UK Government’s admission that the bill could breach international law, Bowie went on: “This should not distract us from the real benefits that are coming to Scotland because of this Bill. We are rebalancing devolution. We are allowing the UK Government to legislate for and spend- Govern in fact, in all corners of our United Kingdom.
“And I am very pleased to be voting for the bill next week.”
The SNP have been contacted for comment.
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