The Scottish Parliament has refused to consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill. Labour, the Greens and Lib Dems joined the SNP in an overwhelming rejection of the Withdrawal Bill, voting 93 to 30 against it as currently drafted, leaving the Tories isolated. The Scottish Parliament’s decision means the UK Government must now act to remove Clause 11 from the Bill or make further changes to secure Holyrood’s consent before the EU Withdrawal Bill is passed by Westminster. If not, the Tories will be breaking conventions that have governed 19 years of devolution, confirming that they cannot be trusted to respect the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish people. Commenting, Kenneth Gibson MSP said: “The Tories think they can do whatever they like to Scotland and get away with it. “If they want us to believe they value devolution and respect the Scottish Parliament then they must act to remove Clause 11 from the Bill. “Any constraints placed on Holyrood’s existing powers without its consent would be a democratic outrage and fly in the face of devolution’s fundamental principles. “It would be an insult to Scotland if the Tories impose their will after the Scottish Parliament has spoken loudly and decisively.
“The UK Government must respect the Scottish Parliament’s vote and ditch their power grab.” ENDS
