Sturgeon: Staying in single market is only real option
NICOLA Sturgeon has insisted that the “common sense” option of the UK staying in the European single market and customs union is probably the only one that can now command a Commons majority as she claimed the case for Scottish independence had “strengthened immeasurably” since 2014.
The First Minister argued that the take-it-or-leave-it Brexit deal Theresa May was offering was not credible and that there were alternatives to her unworkable Chequers Plan.
“They are threatening us with fire to try to make us choose the frying pan but MPS do not have to fall for that false choice. Indeed, I would argue that no self-respecting Parliament would fall for it,” she declared.
In a speech to the Royal Society of Arts in London, Ms Sturgeon complained that the Conservative Government had shown “little inclination to pay heed to Scotland”.
“One of the lessons from our experience of the last two years, which I suspect has not been lost on the Scottish people and which will be remembered in Scotland for a long time to come, is the stark contrast between the EU’S treatment of independent nations and the UK’S treatment of devolved nations.”
The FM noted: “Looking at the UK and the EU, it is fair to say that only one has looked like a genuine partnership of equals; and that has not been the UK.”
Ms Sturgeon stressed her Government had made a “big compromise” by dropping its demand that Scotland remain in the EU and held out hope that a sensible outcome could be achieved. However, she made clear that Scotland staying in the customs union and single market was her “bottom line”.
She pointed out that if there were a special carve-out on the single market for Northern Ireland, Scotland should be next in line for a “differentiated approach”.
The FM only fleetingly mentioned the option of a second independence referendum, saying that if no compromise could be reached, Scotland “must have the option to choose a different course”.
In a question and answer session following her speech, she claimed the “case for democratic independence since 2014 has strengthened immeasurably”, noting that, in the referendum campaign, it was argued a Yes vote would result in Scotland leaving the EU.