SNP bid to prevent no-deal Brexit rejected by Commons

An SNP motion to rule out a no-deal Brexit “under any circumstances” was rejected by MPs last night after several Labour MPs voted with the UK Government.

The UK Government’s own analysis has revealed that a scenario where the UK leaves the EU without a deal in place would result in costly tariffs on imports and exports, food and medicine shortages and cost businesses billions of pounds in contingency funds.

The SNP amendment to categorically rule this out was defeated by 288 to 324, but Prime minister Theresa May May's committed to give MPs a vote on delaying Brexit if both her deal and no-deal are rejected by MPs later.

This proposal was contained in another amendment by Labour MP Yvette Cooper.

Speaking after the vote, SNP Commons leader Ian Blackford accused Scottish Conservative MPs of “betraying” Scotland by voting against the amendment.  

“Westminster had the opportunity tonight to protect Scotland's interests by taking the threat of No-Deal off the table - but once again it completely failed,” he said.

“We now face the very real prospect of crashing out of the EU, with a devastating Brexit that could cost 100,000 Scottish jobs and cause a recession worse than the 2008 financial crisis.

“Time is running out to prevent a bad-deal or no-deal Brexit. Either outcome would be deeply damaging for Scotland - destroying jobs, and inflicting lasting harm on our economy, public services and people's living standards.

“It is utterly shameful that all thirteen Tory MPs with Scottish constituencies betrayed Scotland, by voting to keep the threat of No-Deal on the table - against the clear interests of their own constituents who will be left poorer and worse off as a result.”

Scotland Secretary David Mundell has reportedly asked the Prime Minister to rule out a no-deal Brexit privately, but dismissed the SNP amendment as a “stunt”.

Speaking to ITV Representing Border programme, he said: “What I’ve been advocating is that cabinet and this parliament support a deal. That is the way to respect the result of the Brexit referendum, get an orderly exit, move forward to develop our future relationship with the EU.”