Editor: Johnathan Meyers | Tactical Investor

Scotland-Holyrood Rejects Brexit plan

Scotland’s devolved parliament has rejected UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan to leave the EU in a symbolic, non-binding vote. The majority of Scottish voters chose to remain in the EU in last year’s referendum. Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has consistently advocated for Scotland’s interests to be taken into account in the Brexit negotiations.

However, the Supreme Court ruled last month that there was no legal requirement for Scotland’s parliament to give its consent to the triggering of Article 50, which will commence divorce proceedings from the EU. Full Story

Scotland had to reject the EU withdrawal bill.

The Labour Party, under the leadership of the late Donald Dewar, was instrumental in delivering the Scottish Parliament and campaigned alongside the SNP, the Lib Dems, and the Greens to secure a yes vote for devolution. Dewar referred to the restoration of a national legislature as “the day when democracy was renewed in Scotland” during an impassioned speech at the inaugural meeting of the parliament in Edinburgh.

Labour, along with the Lib Dems, formed the first coalition administration in 1999. In light of this history, it is significant that every party at Holyrood, except for the Tories, voted to reject the EU withdrawal bill in its current form. All parties agreed that the legislation would undermine the devolution settlement, and the perceived disempowerment formed the centrepiece of the debate on Tuesday.

The constitutional dispute, which could ultimately reach the Supreme Court in July, revolves around the issue of legislative consent. Since its establishment, the Scottish Parliament has been required to pass a legislative consent motion every time Westminster proposes legislation in devolved areas.

However, under the withdrawal bill, Westminster is only offering to consult rather than seek consent. Furthermore, the bill includes a less-than-compelling caveat that Westminster will proceed with its plans regardless of whether the Scottish Parliament agrees or not. Full Story

Scottish parliament decisively rejects EU withdrawal bill

If powers are imposed on Scotland after Brexit, it would be unprecedented and could bolster First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s case for a second independence referendum. The UK and Scottish governments have been in disagreement for months regarding the management of 24 EU powers returning to the UK after Brexit, such as state aid for industry, genetically modified crops policy, fishing quotas, and farm subsidies. Both governments agree that these policies should apply uniformly across the UK and be shared between the four governments in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast.

However, Sturgeon is insisting that her government or Holyrood should have the legal power to block any changes they disagree with, while the UK government has rejected this as an unacceptable veto. With the EU withdrawal bill set for its final vote in the Commons soon, time is running out for a resolution before it becomes law. Sturgeon has warned that the “ball will be very much in the UK government’s court” after a certain point, and has stated that it is “three minutes to midnight”. Full Story

Scotland-Holyrood rejects Brexit plan

Scotland-Holyrood Rejects Brexit plan

Scotland had to reject the EU withdrawal bill.

Scottish parliament decisively rejects EU withdrawal bill

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