The Scottish Conservatives are to table a union amendment to the SNP’s Brexit Bill, requiring the Scottish Government not to undermine the UK’s domestic market.
The party will argue that the safeguard is required in the SNP’s Wrecking Bill to ensure Scottish firms continue to have free and frictionless access to their biggest market – the rest of the United Kingdom.
The SNP Government has already said it is happy to support UK wide frameworks to ensure the smooth running of the UK internal market.
They, the LibDems and Scottish Labour will all be urged to support giving that guarantee this week.
A text of the amendment is below.
Adam Tomkins, the Scottish Conservatives’ constitution spokesman said:
“The rest of the UK is Scotland’s biggest marketplace. Whatever else happens with Brexit, we must ensure we do nothing that damages access to it.”
“We are opposed to the SNP’s Wrecking Bill because we fear it will do just that. That’s why our amendment is necessary.”
“The best way forward is still for the SNP to back UK wide legislation. But if the SNP persists with its proposals, at least this amendment would deliver a ‘Union Guarantee’, making it clear that Scotland will not diverge from the rest of the United Kingdom in key areas such as regulation and case law.”
“Wherever parties stand on the constitution, all should be able to support giving this guarantee. It is in Scotland’s interests we do so.”