Holyrood parties unite to oppose Theresa May Brexit deal

Every party in the Scottish Parliament apart from the Conservatives has issued a joint statement opposing the Brexit deal Theresa May is trying to force through Westminster.

The statement, signed by party constitutional spokespeople, will form a joint motion in a Holyrood debate next week ahead of the Commons vote, which May looks unlikely to win.

Brexit and constitution secretary Michael Russell, his Labour shadow Neil Findlay, Liberal democrat Europe spokesperson Tavish Scott and the Scottish Greens spokesperson for international development and external affairs Ross Greer put their names to the statement.

“We have been in discussion regarding a single motion for the debate next week which would be agreed by the four parties and would represent what we hope will be the overwhelming view of the Scottish Parliament," it said.

“We are now confident that we can agree on such a motion which will reject a “No Deal” scenario, recommend rejection of the Prime Minister’s negotiated agreement and point the way towards the alternatives that exist. 

“The day after the Prime Minister’s stage-managed visit to Scotland, during which she failed to engage with any politicians or individuals who oppose her proposals, this unique and positive cooperation between four of the five parties at Holyrood indicates Scotland’s strength of feeling on Brexit and the Prime Minister’s untenable position as well as illustrating the isolation of the Tories on this matter.”

The full motion is expected to be published this weekend.