Brexit vote one of the most significant in Holyrood's history - says Sturgeon

A Scottish Parliament vote on the triggering of Article 50 will be one of the most significant in the history of Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling that the UK Government is not legally compelled to consult the devolved administrations before beginning EU divorce proceedings, MSPs are to debate a motion on Tuesday arguing that the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill currently making its way through Westminster should not proceed.

First Minister Ms Sturgeon had 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.

SNP MSPs will be joined by Scottish Labour members in their opposition to triggering Article 50 after party leader Kezia Dugdale confirmed they will vote against it in the debate.

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.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Ms Sturgeon said Scots will be right to start thinking about how our national interests are best served'' if the UK Government ignores the vote.

This is one of the most significant votes in the history of the Scottish Parliament since devolution,'' the First Minister said.

The people of Scotland voted decisively to remain in the EU - and only one of Scotland's 59 MPs at Westminster has now backed the triggering of Article 50.

This Holyrood debate is a chance for our national Parliament to reaffirm the voice of the people of Scotland and make clear that, as a nation, we oppose the catastrophic hard Brexit now being pursued by the Tories at Westminster.

It has never been the case that the Scottish Parliament or any of the devolved legislatures had a veto over Brexit - but this vote is far more than symbolic. It is a key test of whether Scotland's voice is being listened to and whether our wishes can be accommodated within the UK process.''

Ms Dugdale has said that while her party accepts the UK is leaving the EU, it opposes Prime Minister Theresa May's proposed terms.

In an article for LabourList, Ms Dugdale said: 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 motion to be debated 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''.

The Scottish Conservatives believe the SNP want to use this debate to sow division and grievance in order to further its unwanted plan for a second independence referendum''.

The Greens are against the triggering of Article 50 and plan to stage a Scotland says stay'' rally outside Holyrood to mark the debate.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said his party is unapologetically pro UK and pro EU''.

A UK Government spokesman said: The Scottish Parliament is free to debate any issue it chooses, and indeed has discussed Brexit on many occasions.

Scotland's 59 MPs will scrutinise and vote on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, which relates to reserved matters under the devolution settlement.

The UK Government will continue our engagement with the Scottish Government and with people and groups across Scotland as we prepare to leave the EU to secure the best deal for Scotland and the UK.''

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: This is a bizarre claim by the First Minister. If this debate was so significant, why did she back down from her original plan to seek the Parliament's formal approval for Article 50?

It also exposes just how detached the SNP has become from the genuine priorities in Scotland. Most people want a government that is focused on improving education, supporting the NHS, and backing a growing economy.

Yet for the First Minister the most significant issue in her in-box is to use Brexit to manufacture a case for independence.

Unlike Labour, we will have no truck with the SNP's nationalist games. We will oppose the SNP today and oppose their unwanted attempt to take us back to a second referendum on independence.''

• Nicola Sturgeon
• Brexit
• EU
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