Triggering of Article 50 "economic and social vandalism"
Ross Greer MSP, External Affairs spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (29 March) described the triggering of Article 50 by the Prime Minister as "economic and social vandalism" and “signalling the end of the UK”.
Yesterday, the Scottish Parliament agreed a Green amendment that a fresh referendum on independence is needed once the Brexit deal is known and before the UK has left the EU, and that the franchise should include sixteen and seventeen year olds and EU citizens living in Scotland.
And last month, Holyrood agreed a Green amendment that the UK Government's decision to proceed with Brexit does not respect the majority vote to Remain across every area of Scotland.
Ross Greer MSP said:
“Triggering Article 50 without anything approaching agreement from the Scottish or Welsh governments puts Theresa May in breach of one of her first Brexit promises. It shows that this is clearly no ‘family of nations’ and that the UK is now almost certainly over.
"What the Tories have triggered today will cause 80,000 lost jobs and a £2,000 drop in average incomes, according to independent analysis. This is economic and social vandalism, inflicted on Scotland by a Tory government we did not elect through a Brexit we voted against. It speaks volumes that Theresa May’s letter makes no mention of the environmental protections and workers’ rights that have made such a difference to Scots’ lives.
"The PM’s letter confirms a two-year timescale, so it's right for the people of Scotland to decide at that point which is more important: putting our own future in our own hands or being dragged along with a Hard Brexit we didn't vote for. Holyrood has voted for that choice to be put to the people and no Westminster government has the right to veto such a democratic decision."