SNP tables first four amendments to Article 50 bill

Alex Salmond - Image credit: David Anderson/Holyrood

SNP MPs have tabled the first four of the fifty amendments they have vowed to make to the UK Government’s Article 50 bill.

The UK Government published its bill for parliament’s approval to trigger Article 50 to leave the EU yesterday.

But it has faced down calls by opposition MPs and some of its own backbenchers to publish a white paper outlining its position on leaving the EU in more detail.

The four amendments tabled by the SNP today include asking for a UK-EU membership reset clause, meaning that if the Prime Minister fails to seek agreement from the European Council to approve the terms of exit for the UK, it will result in UK membership continuing on existing terms.

It adds an amendment that the Prime Minister must seek agreement of all members of the Joint Ministerial Committee on European Negotiation to an agreed UK wide approach to, and objectives for, the UK’s negotiations for withdrawal from the EU.

Another SNP amendment calls for EU nationals resident in the UK to be given a guarantee that they are entitled to stay here on the same terms as currently.

And the fourth amendment requires the Prime Minister to bring a white paper on the UK exiting the EU before both houses of parliament.

Alex Salmond, the SNP’s International Affairs spokesperson at Westminster, said: “The UK government may choose to treat devolved administrations with utter contempt but let it be clear that these amendments tabled by the SNP should show the Prime Minister that here, in Westminster, the SNP will lead the charge in bringing the hard Brexit brigade back to the House to answer over their lack of plans.

“These tabled amendments are to address some of the ongoing and abiding concerns of EU citizens, devolved administrations and respect for Parliament in its most fundamental and basic duty.

“The pressure is piling on Theresa May when she returns from her jaunt to cosy up to Donald Trump. She should prepare for the SNP putting forward an effective opposition."