“More fundamentally, Nicola Sturgeon says leaving this trading bloc is bad for Scotland”.
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Speaking about the UK’s single market membership at Holyrood today, Ms Sturgeon launched an attack on Prime Minister Theresa May.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP’s comments come after Ms Sturgeon defended bringing plans forward for another Scottish referendum, with the SNP leader is expected to publish a referendum bill before June.
Mrs May has refused to say whether she wants the United Kingdom to remain in the single market, telling MPs she will not reveal her Brexit negotiating hand “prematurely”.
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, said: “The First Minister declares that independence will be considered “only if it is best or only way to protect our membership in the EU”.
However she said she expected to have a “decision making role” in the negotiations lead by the United Kingdom government with the European Union countries.
Responding to Ms Davidson, the First Minister argued that United Kingdom ministers had assured Northern Ireland that trade links with the south would be maintained post-Brexit, meaning the same could apply to an independent Scotland post-Brexit.
“I think she is right to prioritise that”.
“We expect to have, along with the other devolved nations, a role in decision-making, we expect our engagement to be meaningful”.
Nicola Sturgeon has accused Theresa May of negotiating Brexit under a “cloud of secrecy” as she made clear that her No 1 demand was for the United Kingdom to stay in the single market.
‘The fact this poll shows support for continued European Union membership increasing is further evidence of the strong desire right across Scotland to protect our place in Europe, and reinforces the strong mandate we have as a government to explore all options to achieve that’.
“I hope all parties in this chamber will back us as we make that case, and I hope also that we can make common cause with others across the United Kingdom”.
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“Our guiding principle will continue to be at all times the best interests of the people of Scotland”.
