Scotland’s first minister to unveil alternative to UK government’s Brexit plans
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Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is to unveil a “commonsense” alternative to the UK government’s Brexit plans.
A new Scottish government paper, due out on Monday, will reinforce the case for continued membership of the single market and customs union, Sturgeon has said. It will also argue the UK government’s “false choice” between a “bad, possibly blindfold” Brexit deal and a no-deal scenario should not be accepted.
The release of the paper will come as the first minister and Scottish National party leader gives a speech at the Royal Society of Arts in London on Monday.
Speaking in advance of the address, Sturgeon said: “The UK is scheduled to leave the European Union less than six months from now, but both a withdrawal agreement and a clear, detailed statement on the future relationship must be concluded much sooner. “As things stand, we still have no guarantee of a transition agreement or a detailed proposition setting out the future trading relationship between the UK and EU.
“The UK government seems intent on presenting a false choice between whatever bad, possibly blindfold, deal they manage to conclude and a no-deal scenario. “However, the Scottish government will this week set out our commonsense, workable alternative and make clear why we believe there is now an opportunity to seize an alternative path.”
In its June 2016 referendum Scotland voted by 62% to 38% in favour of remaining in the EU. Sturgeon said her administration had a duty to work to ensure that vote was respected. “It is not too late for public duty and calm heads to prevail and for a no-deal or bad, possibly blindfold, deal outcome to be averted.
