The SNP has again urged the UK government to stop “playing political games with the future of millions” – and agree to a two-year extension to the Brexit transition period.
With an urgent question on Brexit negotiations, SNP Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Pete Wishart MP (pictured), called on Michael Gove to seek an extension to the Brexit transition period and engage in negotiations with the European Union “like a grown up” – saying to follow through with Brexit right now would be a second hammer blow to an economy already shattered by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The SNP has repeatedly called on the UK government to seek an extension and on Sunday were joined by the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, Greens and Alliance Party in a letter to Michel Barnier on Sunday calling for an extension.
Under the Withdrawal Agreement, an extension has to be agreed by the end of June.
The call from the six parties from every nation of the UK, follows a series of polls consistently showing the majority of people support an extension and a Sunday Times article revealing civil servants have been redeployed from work on coronavirus to draw up preparations for a no-deal Brexit – which the SNP has slammed as a “staggering misjudgement of priorities”.
Commenting, Pete Wishart MP said:
“For the good of all constituents, I am urging the UK government to re-think pursuing Brexit at all costs and extend the transition period for two years so that all of us in Europe can focus on protecting our economies at this time.
“The ongoing Covid-19 emergency must be the sole focus of Europe’s collective efforts.
“Bull-dozing ahead with a hard Brexit deadline – and threatening the disaster of No-deal – in the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis would cause unforgivable damage to jobs, businesses, living standards and the economy.
“Polls show that an overwhelming majority of people in Scotland and across the UK want an extension to the Brexit transition period – Tories and Labour must stop playing political games with people’s futures and get on board.”
