EU COUNCIL: TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR DIVIDED TORY GOVERNMENT OVER CREDIBLE BREXIT PLAN

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The SNP’s Westminster leader has called on the Prime Minister to heed the warnings from EU negotiators, NHS England, a growing number of businesses, and the devolved administrations, that time is running out for the UK to come up with a credible and sensible Brexit plan.

Responding to Theresa May’s statement in Westminster today following the EU Council meeting, Ian Blackford MP warned that two years on from the EU referendum, the UK government’s continued “public divisions and dithering” was causing serious harm to the UK’s economy, business stability and jobs market.

The SNP MP once again reiterated calls for the Prime Minister to ensure the UK remains in the single market and customs union in order to take a step back from the “brink of the Brexit abyss.”  

Commenting, Ian Blackford MP said:

“In just one week we have learnt that the Prime Minister’s Brexit Secretary has only spent four hours in talks with Michel Barnier, her Environment Secretary physically ripped up her customs proposal, a sizeable number of her backbenchers are baying for a hard Brexit, and the resounding message at the end of EU Summit is that ‘time is running out.’

“Theresa May must now heed the warnings from our EU partners, small and large businesses, and the devolved administrations, that time is fast running out, and the only way to step back from the brink of the Brexit abyss is by ensuring the UK remains in the single market and customs union.

“In a worrying update, EU officials are warning that the deal may not be ready until December at the earliest. 

“The Prime Minister must now clarify if December is her government’s new deadline for a deal, and whether or not she believes it is right that NHS England is preparing for a no-deal – working to secure vital medicine and equipment – because the Prime Minister refuses to commit to keeping the UK in the single market and customs union?

“More than two years on from the Brexit vote we are no clearer on what the UK government’s plans are. It’s high time Theresa May reigned in her chaotic Cabinet, and brought forward a credible and sensible plan that puts the interests of the UK ahead her party’s hard Brexiteers.”

Brendan O’Hara MP added “Crucially, this lack of clarity will affect Argyll & Bute and other rural communities disproportionately as they are also set to lose £138 million of funding through the loss of the EU’s LEADER fund, which helps boost businesses, tourism, productivity and services in rural areas.

“The Prime Minister must provide answers ,the UK government’s dithering and very public divisions is causing serious harm to the UK’s economy, business stability and jobs market “