Scottish Labour to vote against Brexit in Holyrood debate
Scottish Labour is to vote against the triggering of Article 50 in a symbolic debate at Holyrood.
Scottish Labour is to vote against the triggering of Article 50 in a symbolic debate at Holyrood.
Leader Kezia Dugdale has confirmed that while her party accepts the UK is leaving the European Union, it opposes Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed terms.
On Tuesday, MSPs will vote on a Scottish Government motion arguing that the UK Government's European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill currently making its way through the Commons should not proceed.
The move puts Ms Dugdale at odds with UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is facing a revolt by pro-Remain MPs - including the party's only Scottish MP Ian Murray - who are defying his leadership to vote against the Bill at Westminster.
In an article for LabourList, Ms Dugdale said: "The UK is leaving the EU - that is not in doubt. What is in doubt is the terms on which we are leaving.
"Scottish Labour respects the result of the UK-wide referendum on the EU, but we also know the people of Scotland did not vote for Theresa May's hard Brexit and that no-one voted to become poorer.
"While the Bill to leave the EU is still progressing through the House of Commons, Labour in Holyrood will send a clear message that we do not support a hard Brexit.
"The UK is leaving the European Union, but there is no reason why Scottish Labour and the Scottish Parliament should not give a voice to the wishes of the vast majority of Scottish people."
The Holyrood debate is being held despite the Supreme Court ruling that the UK Government is not legally compelled to consult the devolved administrations before beginning EU divorce proceedings.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged to give MSPs a vote on the issue regardless of the court's decision, but the Scottish Government has put forward a motion for debate rather than a formal legislative consent memorandum.
The motion argues that UK ministers have "set out no provision for effective consultation with the devolved administrations on reaching an agreed UK approach to the negotiations on implementing Article 50".
It adds that the UK Government "has refused to give a guarantee on the position of EU nationals in the UK, has left unanswered a range of detailed questions covering many policy areas regarding the full implications of withdrawal from the single market, and has provided no assurance that a future parliamentary vote on the outcome of the negotiations will be anything other than irrelevant".
Labour has tabled an amendment calling on the SNP not to use Brexit as an excuse for a second independence referendum.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont MSP said: "The referendum was held, Parliament has had its say, and we should now respect them both by moving to trigger Article 50.
"The SNP is hoping to use this debate to sow division and grievance in order to further its unwanted plan for a second independence referendum.
"It is disappointing that Scottish Labour has fallen into the same old trap and failed to stand up to the same old Nationalist stunts. The Scottish Conservatives will have no truck with them."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said his party is "unapologetically pro UK and pro EU".
He said: "As we have done in Parliament, we will vote against the triggering of Article 50 unless a Brexit deal referendum is promised. It's a shame that Labour has given up on Europe, leaving Liberal Democrats the only party that is for keeping Scotland in the UK and the UK in the EU.
"However the First Minister must not use the reckless nationalism of the Tories to benefit her own brand of nationalism, which will only compound the chaos of Brexit further. Instead of giving up on the UK, the SNP should join our efforts of keeping the UK in the EU."