A SCOTTISH Tory MP has claimed the SNP voted against more powers for Holyrood and protections for jobs by rejecting the UK’s Internal Market Bill.
The bill would see regulations in one part of the UK recognised in all the other nations after Brexit, and there are fears this could lead to lower standards in food safety and environmental protections being imposed on Scotland.
Health campaigners, farmers and groups across Scotland have already set out their opposition to the legislation. Last month the Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly voted to reject the proposals by 92 votes to 31, with only the Tories supporting them.
Last night, before the bill passed at second reading by 340 to 263, Ian Blackford warned the Commons that it will “grab the powers back that were returned to Scotland with devolution”.
The SNP’s Westminster leader called the bill “an attack on democracy, and an affront to the people of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”.
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Tories insist the bill, which Blackford warned features a clause allowing the UK to “legislate directly in devolved responsibilities”, actually gives new powers to Holyrood.
And last night Tory MPs, facing criticism for supporting the legislation which also breaches international law by overriding the Withdrawal Agreement, sought to spin the legislation.
John Lamont, one of the six Scottish Tory MPs who voted for the Internal Market Bill and MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, claimed it was the SNP who are “letting down Scotland” by rejecting the proposals.
He claimed that the party voted “against frictionless trade for Scottish businesses with the rest of the UK”, “against protection for Scottish jobs” and “against more powers for the Scottish Parliament”.
Your voting record is a disgrace, as is your spinning this against SNP MPs defending Scotland against a Tory assault on Scotland’s Parliament, defending the rule of law (as a lawyer you ditched that last night) & to protect high food & farm standards. You deserve a #recall!
— Paul Wheelhouse MSP🏴 (@PaulWheelhouse) September 15, 2020
SNP MSP Paul Wheelhouse was quick to point out the problem, telling Lamont: “Your voting record is a disgrace, as is your spinning this against SNP MPs defending Scotland against a Tory assault on Scotland’s Parliament, defending the rule of law (as a lawyer you ditched that last night) & to protect high food & farm standards.”
Former Labour MP Ged Killen chipped in: “I've got a lot of time for John, but this is rubbish. Boris is trashing the UK on the international stage. Nothing is worth that.”
Author Emma Kennedy pointed to the fact the Internal Market Bill will breach international law.
“And you voted to break international law and for Westminster to have power over Scotland’s health, education etc,” she told the MP. “Sorry? Who’s let Scotland down again?”
The SNP have been approached for comment.
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