Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil says independence is Scotland’s only escape from Brexit and the only route back to EU prosperity – as the UK marks the seventh anniversary of the EU referendum tomorrow (June 23rd)
In a statement to constituents prior to the 2016 referendum, Mr MacNeil warned that Brexit would negatively impact the islands and urged a vote to Remain.
He highlighted that hundreds of projects in Na h-Eileanan an Iar had benefitted from EU funding and that EU membership was costing Scotland just £18 per person per year.
For every pound Scotland paid to the EU, £20 was coming back. He also stressed that a Leave vote would threaten workers’ long fought rights.
Speaking today, seven years after the referendum which saw Na h-Eileanan an Iar, and the whole of Scotland, pulled out of the EU against its will, Mr MacNeil said:
“There is no doubt the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party have made people in Scotland poorer by imposing Brexit against our will – as the cost-of-living soars and the UK economy falls further behind.
“Independence is Scotland’s only escape from Brexit and the only route back to EU prosperity.
“It’s clear, people in Scotland will continue to pay an unacceptable price as long as we are stuck under Westminster control.
“The UK is on a path to long-term decline, as Brexit reduces trade and economic growth, harms the NHS and key industries with staffing shortages, and pushes up costs for businesses and consumers – fuelling the cost-of-living crisis hammering the UK.
“With Starmer and Sunak both in denial over Brexit, the SNP is the only party offering real change with independence and the opportunity to regain Scotland’s place in the EU.”
