This is not Scotland’s last Christmas in the European Union, Smith insists – The National
SCOTLAND will not be spending its last Christmas as part of the European Union this year, an SNP MP has vowed.
Alyn Smith, who was an MEP until elected as an MP this month, pledged the SNP would do all they can at Westminster to ensure the country can escape the mess of Brexit.
His comments come as a German MEP renewed a pledge the EU would leave the door open for an independent Scotland to rejoin.
A majority of 124 votes for the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill at its second reading in the Commons last week means the UK is on its way to finalising its divorce from Brussels by the January 31 deadline.
READ MORE:SNP's Amy Callaghan: My first week at Westminster as an MP
But Smith, who was elected to represent Stirling, said: This cannot be Scotlands last Christmas in the European Union, and SNP MPs will do all we can to ensure that Scotland can escape the mess of Brexit.
The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to Remain in the EU in 2016, and people in Scotland cannot be dragged out of Europe against the wishes of our people.
Scotland is a European nation and our EU membership must be protected from a destructive Tory Brexit.
The risk of losing 100,000 jobs in Scotland, and a Brexit money-grab of 2300 from every person per year with a hard Brexit, is simply not worth taking.
He added: Scotland cannot afford to stay a member of the UK in an increasingly insular Brexit Britain.
Only by taking our seat at the table with other independent European nations can Scotland escape the chaos of Brexit.
German Green MEP Terry Reintke tweeted a message highlighting a letter to the Scottish Parliament signed by 50 politicians from across the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote.
She said: Maybe now is the moment to remind everyone in Scotland of our commitment: Your future is for you to decide, but we will leave our door open.
The letter to MSPs acknowledges that Scotland voted strongly to remain within the EU. It added: If Scotland were to become an independent country and decided to maintain European Union membership, we offer our full support to ensure the transition is as swift, smooth and orderly as possible.
Scotland would be most welcome as a full member of the European Union, with your five million European citizens continuing to benefit from the rights and protections we all currently enjoy.
Yesterday Boris Johnson was asked whether he was planning for a hard Brexit at the end of 2020, as he visited British troops in Estonia and met with the countrys Prime Minister Juri Ratas.
He said: On the EU and our partnership, just talking to Juri Ratas, who is the prime minister here, such a positive feeling now.
What everybody wants to do is put Brexit behind us on January 31 and move on, and theres a lot of goodwill and a lot of energy now about building the new deep and special partnership, and thats what were going to do.
THE Prime Minister told MPs on Friday that the oven was on when it came to delivering Brexit next year, but said there would be no alignment to EU rules once the transition period ends in 2020.
READ MORE:Staying in the Union cost Scotland 3.3 billion this year
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned a good trade deal for Ireland was looking increasingly unlikely after the stance taken by Number 10 since the Tories win.
It is going to be difficult to secure a good trade deal for Ireland, principally because Boris Johnson has fixed on a harder Brexit than we anticipated under his predecessor or at the time of the referendum, and that is one where he talks very much about divergence, he said.
The harder approach being taken by Prime Minister Johnson is a risk to us and that is evident.
Varadkar said he feared the UK, under a hard Brexit, would look to undercut EU states on food, financial, product and health standards in order to compete for world trade.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over Brexit trade negotiations following the sale of a UK defence and aerospace company to US private equity firm Advent. The UK Government approved the sale of Cobham, which has extensive contracts with the British military, on Friday after the deal was delayed due to national security concerns. Sir Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the move was deeply concerning.
He said: If Boris Johnsons Government are happy to sell of a leading UK defence and aerospace company to Trumps America, how can we expect his Government to protect our defence and manufacturing sectors, not to mention every other sector of our economy, as they negotiate trade deals after Brexit?
However Johnson said it was important to have an open and dynamic market economy.
View original post here:
This is not Scotland's last Christmas in the European Union, Smith insists - The National
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - AP News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- What should the European Union aim for in a trade deal with Trump? - Bruegel - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules with lack of transparency on ads - Ottumwa Courier - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union election observation mission publishes its final report with 19 recommendations; genuine political will needed to reinforce democratic... - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Digital Anonymity in Danger! What is the European Union deciding? - Red Hot Cyber - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- The European Union and the United States reach an agreement to enhance trade talks - - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- EU and UK at loggerheads over fishing rights and youth mobility | European Union - The Guardian - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- European Union agrees on 17th sanction package against Russia (VGK:NYSEARCA) - Seeking Alpha - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- The European Union celebrates Europe Day 2025 with the exhibition Panama and Europe: routes that connect - EEAS - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- European Union's Nails and Staples Market Expected to Grow at CAGR of +0.9% Over Next Decade - IndexBox - May 14th, 2025 [May 14th, 2025]
- Gavin Willsey reaches milestone at the Midwest Model European Union competition - Stephen F. Austin State University - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Europe Day NYC: Celebrating 75 years of the European Union, from vision to reality - EEAS - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Meet the MEP who wants to bring Canada into the European Union - Euronews.com - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union: The European Commission's action plan to drive innovation, sustainability and competitiveness in the automotive sector - Global... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- European Union launches $566 million drive to attract researchers scared off by Trump moves on science and universities - Fortune - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- Georgians Risk Losing Their Visa-Free Travel Privileges To The European Union Amid Growing Tensions - Travel And Tour World - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Marking Europe Day 2025 under the Theme "Partnering for Peace and Security" -... - May 10th, 2025 [May 10th, 2025]
- 'We call on the European Union to endorse a confederation of the states of Israel and Palestine in one homeland' - Le Monde.fr - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- The European Union does not plan to participate in the settlement of the conflict on Ukraine - EADaily - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Soybean Oil Market to Grow at a CAGR of +0.8% Over the Next Decade - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Methanol Market to Exhibit Slow Growth with CAGR of +0.2% through 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Alumina Market to Reach 7.1M Tons and $4.8B by 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Stranded Wire, Ropes and Cables Market to Reach 1.6M Tons and $6.6B by 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- European Union's Frozen Potatoes Market to Witness Strong Growth with CAGR of +5.7% from 2024 to 2035 - IndexBox - May 3rd, 2025 [May 3rd, 2025]
- The European Union just issued a dire warning to its 450 million citizens: Stockpile supplies and prepare for disaster - Fortune - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union is preparing for war and is calling for emergency reserves in every home - CiberCuba - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union rejected Russias demand for a ceasefire in exchange for lifting sanctions - - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Exclusive | European Union to slap Meta with fine up to $1B or more for breaching strict antitrust rules: sources - New York Post - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Peter Rough sat down with Kaja Kallas, European Union high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and European Commission vice... - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- Court of Justice of the European Union: Member states representatives appoint thirteen judges to the General Court - consilium.europa.eu - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- When the European Union wants to get back to basics - Marketscreener.com - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union urges citizens to stockpile supplies to last 3 days in case of crisis - Goshen News - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- The European Union urges citizens to stockpile supplies to last 3 days in case of crisis - Oil City Derrick - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Transmission Shafts and Cranks Market Expected to Slightly Increase with a CAGR of +0.3% over the Next Decade - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- New European Union Plan To Boost Local Arms Production Would Freeze U.S. Out Of Billions - The War Zone - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Roasted Coffee Market to See Continued Growth with +0.6% CAGR by 2035 - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- EU Penalizes RPM And Other Vertical Conduct Violations - Cartels, Monopolies - European Union - Mondaq News Alerts - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union's Toilet Paper Market to Reach $27.1B by 2035 with +0.5% CAGR - IndexBox, Inc. - March 26th, 2025 [March 26th, 2025]
- European Union Delays Retaliatory Tariffs On U.S. ProductsIncluding Whiskey - Forbes - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- ICC President visits Brussels, urges European Union to take immediate action to protect the Court - the International Criminal Court - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- The European Sting is Your democratic, independent and top quality political newspaper specialized in European Union News. Unique Features: iSting... - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- The Prime Minister of Slovakia supported Ukraine's integration into the European Union - Eurasia Daily - March 20th, 2025 [March 20th, 2025]
- Trump reacts to European Union slapping tariffs on U.S. goods - CBS News - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Rxulti approved in the European Union for adolescent schizophrenia - PharmaTimes - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union Responds With Tariffs on Soybeans, Other Ag Exports - DTN The Progressive Farmer - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union retaliates with tariffs on $28 billion U.S. products - RFD-TV - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Donald Trump threatens European Union with 200% tariffs on specific goods if they dont remove nasty tax - UNILAD - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Canada and the European Union announce retaliatory tariffs against the United States - KREM.com - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Commission decides to refer SPAIN to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to discriminatory tax treatment of non-resident taxpayers - The... - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- European Union hits back with counter tariffs on US goods - USA TODAY - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Trade Wars: European Union Retaliates Against U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum - TipRanks - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Commission hosts event to gather input and expertise on upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy - European Union - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- UNESCO and the European Union Promote Training in Creative Tourism in the Caribbean - UNESCO - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- The Interests of the European Union and the United States Are Diverging - Modern Diplomacy - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- Tunisia: Call for the European Union to send international observers to the so-called "conspiracy" trial - FIDH - March 7th, 2025 [March 7th, 2025]
- European Union Blasts Trump Tariff Threats as Starmer Visits White House - Newsweek - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump vows to slap 25% tariffs on the European Union - FRANCE 24 English - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump vows to impose 25% tariffs on imports from the European Union - The Associated Press - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump says tariff level will be 25% on European Union products - Le Monde - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- EU reaffirms unwavering support to Ukraine on anniversary of invasion - European Union - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- The European Union is financing a project to strengthen social protection for women in ten local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina - EEAS - February 27th, 2025 [February 27th, 2025]
- Trump's reciprocal tariffs would hit these European Union products that Americans buy the hardest - CNBC - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- European Union Says It Will Respond "Firmly, Immediately" To Trump's Tariffs - NDTV - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- How the European Union could counter US tariffs - ING Think - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- (Nemolizumab) Approved in the European Union for Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis and Prurigo Nodularis - Business Wire - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- European Union could ban the number 1 Catholic app in the world: Hallow - ZENIT - English - February 14th, 2025 [February 14th, 2025]
- Political contagion in Europe: can the European Union survive Trumpism? - Bruegel - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Bolstering the cybersecurity of the healthcare sector - European Union - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Medidatas Patient Experience Recognized as Sustainability Solution by the European Union, Paving the Way for Greener Clinical Trials - Dassault... - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- European Union Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Johan Borgstam, makes first official visit to Tanzania - EEAS - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Indicating the way forward for sustainable European aviation - European Union - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- UNHCR and the European Union join forces to provide lasting solutions for Afghan refugees and returnees - EEAS - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Irregular migration into the European Union fell sharply last year, border agency says - The Associated Press - January 19th, 2025 [January 19th, 2025]
- Poland Assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union - Kyiv Post - January 6th, 2025 [January 6th, 2025]
- Far From Ignorant: The European Union, Arms Exports and Israel - CounterPunch - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Major changes in the European Union - summary of 2024: everything you need to know in 2025 - Visit Ukraine - January 3rd, 2025 [January 3rd, 2025]
- Hungary's controversial presidency of the Council of the European Union comes to an end - Euronews - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- 30 years together: Austria, Finland and Sweden in the EU - European Union - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- AI and Employee Data Protection in the European Union: 8 Key Takeaways for Multinational Businesses - JD Supra - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]
- Pro-European Union Protests in Georgia Continue into New Years Eve - AL24 News - January 1st, 2025 [January 1st, 2025]