Scottish Parliament 'won't be humiliated' as it votes against Article 50 in symbolic vote
Scottish Parliament - credit Scottish Parliament
Mike Russell has warned Scotland will not be humiliated over Brexit as Holyrood voted overwhelmingly to reject the UK’s march towards the EU exit door.
The Scottish Parliament voted by 90 to 34 for a government motion stating the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill should not proceed.
Russell, Scotland's Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, said the Scottish Government will “never allow Scotland to be humiliated, and its democratic choice rejected, and we will never, ever, turn our back on Europe and the world”.
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He acknowledged opposition claims that the the SNP’s grievance against Brexit has been seen as “a stalking horse for independence”.
But he said there is still time for the UK Government to avert another independence referendum by accepting the Scotland’s “compromise” — a differentiated solution that keeps Scotland in the European single market if the rest of Britain leaves.
The SNP joined together with most Labour MSPs, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats to vote against the triggering of Article 50.
Tory MSPs voted against the motion, along with three Labour rebels - Elaine Smith, Neil Findlay and Richard Leonard.
Russell said: “This is the Scottish Parliament. The people that voted for us are Scottish voters, they expect us to stand up for Scotland.”
He added: “Some sense the arguments that we are putting forward are a stalking horse for independence
“Now, the reality is the Scottish Government has put on the table a compromise position…we are willing and keen to negotiate on this…whatever happens now, it is because the UK Tories take it off the table. They are the ones who are refusing to compromise.”
Holyrood’s vote sends a clear signal to Westminster that the Brexit process is proceeding without their support, but the UK Government has no compulsion to listen. Earlier First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had called the debate "the most significant vote" in the history of the parliament, but in fact it will have no direct influence on Brexit proceedings.
The UK Supreme Court ruled in January that a convention designed to deter Westminster from imposing laws on Scotland carried no legal force, clearing the way for the UK Government to trigger Brexit without consulting Edinburgh.
Russell said: “We’re going to keep talking and make sure that we go on talking so the Article 50 letter can still be influenced by the reasonable demands of Scotland.
"But what we are also going to do is this — never allow Scotland to be humiliated, its democratic choice rejected.
“And we will never, ever, turn our back on Europe and the world.”
The Tories accused the Scottish Government of "grievance politics" and making "weekly threats" about another vote on independence.
John Lamont said: "I can see no compromise in the SNP's positions, they are obsessed with stocking up the politics of grievance and their agenda for independence and nothing else.
"Instead of constantly trying to undermine the process, the Scottish Government really should get on with the job of getting the best deal for Scotland. Their current grandstanding is putting that at risk.”
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