Scottish Parliament opposes Brexit deal

The Scottish Parliament has voted to oppose Theresa May's draft Brexit deal by 92 to 29.

The joint motion agreed by the SNP, Labour, Greens and the Lib Dems called on the UK Government to come up with an alternative plan that doesn't leave Northern Ireland closer to the European Union than Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives voted against.

Although the other parties united in condemning Theresa May's negotiated deal, they did not agree on an alternative solution.

The vote at Holyrood has no meaningful impact on proceedings at Westminster, where Prime Minister May is facing a struggle to win enough support in the Commons ahead of the meaningful vote on Tuesday.

Speaking after the vote, Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell said: "The UK Government's Brexit deal will make Scotland poorer and they must now listen and act on the Scottish Parliament's overwhelming decision to reject it.

"I committed to bring the UK Government's EU Withdrawal Deal and Political Declaration to this Parliament before it was voted on in the House of Commons, and I was pleased to do so today with a motion that was the result of a unique cross-party collaboration.

"In every area of Scotland there will be businesses, organisations, communities, people and families who will suffer, directly suffer, over a long period of time under this proposed deal.

"Today the Scottish Parliament came together to say we cannot let this happen, and the UK Government must now respect today's decisive vote."

"We believe this plan will be rejected in the House of Commons. The Tories should then make way for a Labour government that can not only negotiate a Brexit deal that protects jobs, rights and our economy, but transforms society so it works for the many, not the few."

Scottish Lib Dem Europe spokesman Tavish Scott said: “Few people anywhere in Scotland will understand why the Scottish Tories are the last defenders of the indefensible.”

During the debate, Adam Tomkins accused other parties of being "hoodwinked" into backing the SNP's ambitions for independence.

"The Scottish Conservatives will never cave in to the SNP—not today, not now, not ever—because, unlike the SNP, we believe that the results of referendums must be respected. We voted to remain in the United Kingdom in 2014 and two years later we voted as one United Kingdom to leave the European Union, and that is precisely what we will do," he said.

"Among other notable matters, the Prime Minister’s deal withdraws the UK from the EU’s hated common fisheries policy, which the SNP would drag Scotland back into in a heartbeat. Under the deal, we will become an independent coastal state with full control over our own waters. The Prime Minister has been clear that, under her leadership, that will never be traded away against other priorities."