The vast majority of her Scottish Conservative colleagues also backed the United Kingdom remaining in the European Union, with Ms Davidson clashing with high-profile Leave campaigner Boris Johnson, who is now foreign secretary, in a televised debate ahead of the referendum. She is Scottish First Minister.
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The intervention came ahead of crunch talks today between Mike Russell, the SNP Brexit minister, and his UK Government counterpart David Davis. Brexit hasn’t happened yet, it hasn’t even started.
She said the damage Brexit will do to “our economy and other areas of society and life will be deep and severe”.
“I do think there is a real risk that the United Kingdom is facing right now a lost decade or more with the uncertainty and turmoil of Brexit and everything that comes after that before there is clarity about what the UK’s place in Europe and the world actually is, will dominate and the damage that will do to our economy and other areas of our society and life will be deep and severe”.
“We haven’t even started this process yet and that potential for a lost decade for the United Kingdom should make us all sit up and take notice”.
“And in Scotland it should make us think very carefully about whether there are better alternatives to just accepting that we have to be part of that”.
Pro-Brexit opponents accused Ms Sturgeon of adopting “project fear” rhetoric while business representatives warned politicians to consider implications for consumer confidence and spending when making predictions about leaving the EU.
“Now that we are leaving the European Union, more than ever, we must prove to you that we remain that same outward facing nation which wants to play our full part.which seeks to be a beacon for the values we share – of the rule of law, freedom and solidarity with one another”.
Hugh Aitken, the Director of CBI Scotland, called on the Scottish Government to support businesses in “getting on with creating economic growth through job creation and investment”.
With legal action now under way in London and Belfast to force the United Kingdom government to put the Brexit deal to a binding vote at Westminster, it was still unclear whether May would seek parliamentary backing for the Brexit deal.
Interrupting the former SNP leader, Mr Dale reminded him that despite 62 per cent of Scots voting to Remain, the majority of the British people voted to leave the EU.
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Ms Sturgeon voiced her concerns as she told a Holyrood committee that in h er view there is a “pretty compelling” case for the UK Parliament to have a vote on the triggering of Article 50, which will formally start the withdrawal process. In my opinion (yes I am Scottish) Scotland has the right to make their own mind up and not having to abide by the English parliament? I think Nicola Sturgeon should take her instruction from the verdict of the Scottish people; she’s Scottish First Minister.
