NICOLA Sturgeon will today warn that Westminster is set to be “engulfed by Brexit chaos for years to come”, underlining the urgent need for Scotland to be able to choose a better future with independence.
In a keynote election speech in Dundee, the First Minister will say that progress made in recent years in terms of investment across the country in key public services like the NHS is now at risk at the hands of the Tories.
Boris Johnson wants to complete a trade deal with the EU within the coming months allowing the UK to move onto the new arrangement by the end of 2020 when the transition period is over without extending that arrangement – something he has vowed not to do.
However, many observers believe it is not enough time to get an agreement, opening up the prospect of Britain leaving without a deal.
Some EU figures – including Irish Senator Neale Richmond – have suggested the process of securing a deal could take many years.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: I’ll debate scaredy cat Boris any time, any place
And earlier this week the EU’s new director general for trade Sabine Weyand said Johnson’s Brexit plans would leave only two options – a “bare bones” deal or a devastating No-Deal crash-out.
“I doubt there is anyone in Scotland who is not heartily sick of Brexit and the chaos we’ve seen played out at Westminster night after night,” Sturgeon is expected to say.
“But the Westminster parties have barely got going. The hard-line approach of Boris Johnson means there is every chance Scotland will be forced out of the EU next year with no trade deal. Leaving in that way will be an economic disaster. But any Brexit will hit jobs, living standards and the NHS.”
She is expected to add: “The truth is Westminster is going to be engulfed by Brexit chaos for years to come – with long-term damage to Scotland guaranteed. And at this election it has become clear that Westminster control means multiple threats to our NHS and to public services in Scotland. A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit. And to escape these threats to our public services.”
The PM yesterday insisted the chances of Britain breaking away from the EU at the end of 2020 without a trade deal in place are “absolutely zero”.
Ahead of his first televised debate of the election campaign with Jeremy Corbyn, the PM expressed confidence a re-elected Tory government would negotiate a trade agreement within 11 months of Britain leaving the EU.
Under his plans Johnson would re-introduce his Withdrawal Agreement in the Commons with a view to delivering Brexit by January 31. Speaking during a campaign visit to a boxing gym near Manchester, he was adamant there was no prospect of leaving the EU at the end of 2020 without a trade agreement. Asked about the risk, he said: “I think they’re absolutely zero.”
He added: “People said I couldn’t get a deal with the EU in the three months we had available and they said we couldn’t reopen the Withdrawal Agreement and that Brussels would never agree, and all this sort of stuff, and look what we did. We got a fantastic deal, it’s ready to go ... it is supported by every single one of the 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel