Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 November 2018
15 Nov 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Proposed European Union Withdrawal Agreement
I think that the events of the past 24 hours have made no deal much less likely than it was. They have concentrated minds. Some of the work of people such as the health secretary in England has been designed to egg up a no deal, and so doing has made it clear to almost everybody that a no deal should not happen.
However, we will not let up on our preparations. A substantial amount of my time over the past period has been spent on no-deal issues. I expect to be in a position to come to the chamber with more information on that before Christmas and I make an undertaking to do so. I hope that that will include publication of some information.
Ross Greer makes an important point. We must have a careful judgment between whether we are egging on a no deal—encouraging it and making people think that it will happen—or providing reassurance. I will always consider that to be the most important judgment. I give an undertaking that we will say more about that.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Michael Russell with an update from the Scottish Government on the proposed United Kingdom-European Union withdra...
The Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations (Michael Russell)
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to update the chamber at this important moment in the Brexit process—though given the speed of current developments, I am n...
Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
That was not a Government statement from a serious minister. It was a cocktail of contrived grievance from someone who, even two years on, has never accommod...
Michael Russell
SNP
To address the substance of the question, no, I do not agree. It is obvious that a reading of any of the documents indicates that there are huge similarities...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
In the past 24 hours, we have entered the endgame in the 40-year-long civil war in the Tory party over Europe. Two and half years after the Brexit vote, we a...
Michael Russell
SNP
The First Minister was very clear about that. Clearly, there are a range of options on the table, one of which is a general election. If a general election t...
Neil Findlay
Lab
No it does not.
Michael Russell
SNP
It absolutely contains all that information. Indeed, we have gone on publishing more volumes of “Scotland’s Place in Europe”—it is almost like a serial publi...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement. The Greens would be more than happy to work with the Labour Party and the Scottish Government to try to present ...
Michael Russell
SNP
I think that the events of the past 24 hours have made no deal much less likely than it was. They have concentrated minds. Some of the work of people such as...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
The deputy political editor of the BBC has just tweeted: “Tory minister tells me if Brexiteers vote down Deal—he and others will openly campaign for a secon...
Michael Russell
SNP
I am behind it, remain behind it and will be behind it, because that is the position that the SNP has taken. Tavish Scott and his colleagues cannot take yes ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There is considerable interest in the subject, as members will imagine. At least 10 members wish to ask questions. I urge everyone to be succinct. I am, howe...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
I will give a very short quotation: “There is undoubtedly a need for all the devolved administrations to work with the UK Government to ensure we get a deal...
Michael Russell
SNP
My friend, Bruce Crawford, has made a good and sound point. We could extend the matter back in time, and consider the role of Margaret Thatcher as the midwif...
Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
The Scottish Conservatives yesterday publicly sought assurances from the Prime Minister that the draft deal will protect Scotland’s fishing interests. Howeve...
Michael Russell
SNP
I like and respect Donald Cameron, but that question was not worthy of him. The reality of the situation is this: the Conservative Party has been an enthusi...
Alex Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP)
SNP
As someone who voted for Brexit, I agree with the cabinet secretary that the draft withdrawal agreement is totally unacceptable. It is neither fish nor fowl;...
Michael Russell
SNP
I know that time is short, but I will make two quick points about fishing. First, of course I agree that the 13 Scottish Conservative MPs should resign, but ...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
The Government’s focus today is on arguing for a special deal, although the reality is that, following today’s developments, the deal that we are deliberatin...
Michael Russell
SNP
I am convinced that it would be easy to find a workable solution on those matters. They can be resolved. Differentiation is vitally important in terms of acc...
Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
In the draft deal, Northern Ireland, which voted to remain in the EU, is guaranteed a special deal to stay close to the EU. Where does the cabinet secretary ...
Michael Russell
SNP
I simply go back to the account that I gave of my conversation with David Davis. There was a root-and-branch refusal to accept differentiation at the beginni...
Mark McDonald (Aberdeen Donside) (Ind)
Ind
The draft agreement appears to offer no guarantees on the future ability of the UK to be involved in European reference networks, which allow knowledge and e...
Michael Russell
SNP
The member makes a very good point. That is one of the issues that cause enormous concern, of which there are many. If Mr McDonald would like to write to me ...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
In December 2016, Michael Russell stated that membership of the single market was “clearly not going to happen”. What has changed?
Michael Russell
SNP
The member would have to remind me of the exact context of that remark. Unlike Mr Kerr, I do not scrape through previous speeches in an effort to quote peopl...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
What has been announced is an agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, but the long-term relationship is yet to be agreed. Indeed, the political declara...
Michael Russell
SNP
It is true that the blindfold aspect, which has been much discussed in recent months, has not diminished. There is an expectation that we might see more of t...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Given the many references in the statement to special status for Northern Ireland, does the cabinet secretary agree that the focus should be on permanent mem...