The SNP has said the only way to protect Scotland’s place in Europe is to become an independent country – after a new poll by YouGov across Great Britain revealed 85% of respondents from Scotland expressing a view think the UK government is doing badly at handling the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Responding to the poll by YouGov (fieldwork 12-13th November), which also revealed that 77% of respondents from Scotland expressing a view think that the UK was wrong to vote to leave the EU, Kirsten Oswald MP (pictured) said Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster throughout the Brexit process and the people of Scotland deserve a choice over our future and the chance to escape Brexit.
The SNP Westminster Deputy Leader said that as a result of Tory red lines the UK was heading to a very bad low-deal or no-deal extreme Brexit outcome, and that it was already too late to avoid significant disruption and lasting damage when the UK terminates the transition period.
An expert study from Warwick University earlier this year revealed that Scotland is already £3.94billion worse off as a result of Brexit – losing £736 per head of population, with Aberdeen worst-hit at £9,000 per head.
Separately, Scottish Government analysis has revealed that Tory plans to end the transition period in 2020 could cut £3billion from the Scottish economy in two years – on top of the impact of coronavirus.
Fourteen polls in a row have now shown a majority for independence in Scotland – with the most recent poll by Panelbase showing support at 56%.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsten Oswald MP said:
“Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster throughout the Brexit process.
“It’s no wonder the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland think the UK government has done a bad job in the negotiations.
“As a result of Tory incompetence and damaging red lines, the only possible outcome at this late stage is a very bad low-deal or an even worse no-deal Brexit.
“People in Scotland will not be fooled by Boris Johnson’s attempts to present any old deal as a cause for celebration – no matter the damage it will do to Scotland’s economy.
“The fact is the Tory government is terminating Scotland’s EU membership, ripping us out of the world’s largest single market and customs union – a market seven times the size of the UK’s alone, and ending our freedom of movement rights.
“There is no good outcome on the table – any of the options will leave Scotland worse off for decades to come.
“It is now far too late to avoid the disruption and chaos that businesses will face when the UK government recklessly crashes out of the EU transition period on the 31st December – imposing an extreme Brexit in the middle of a global pandemic and growing Tory unemployment crisis.
“The people of Scotland have the right to determine our own future.
“It is clearer than ever that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe is to become an independent country.”
