#Brexit: 'One of the most shameful abdications of responsibility in modern political history' - Scotland's First Minister

Just over a month since the UK’s EU referendum, First Minister of the Scottish Government Nicola Sturgeon has made a speech at IPPR Scotland (Institute of Public Policy Research) (25 July) on Scotland’s place in the EU. Sturgeon lays out the priorities for Scotland in its negotiations with the rest of the UK and voices her shock that the Brexiteers have no coherent 'plan B'. 

More than 60% of those who voted in Scotland made it clear that they wanted to stay in the EU. The ‘Remain’ campaign received a majority in every single one of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.

Sturgeon spoke of her shock at the result and felt angry that Scotland faced the prospect of being taken out of the EU against their will - with all of the damaging consequences that would entail. She also expressed her contempt for a ‘Leave’ campaign that she said had lied and given succour to racism and intolerance.

Sturgeon said that while politicians should not pretend to instantly have all the answers, there was a duty to create some order out of the chaos. That those who had proposed the referendum and those who had campaigned for a ‘Leave’ vote either resigned very quickly or were unable to stand by their campaign and present a clear way forward was, she considered, one of the most shameful abdications of responsibility in modern political history.

Sturgeon says that it is her job as First Minister to explore every option to protect Scotland's interests. Despite a recent visit to Scotland by the British Prime Minister Theresa May, she says that she is not reassured: “While 'Brexit means Brexit' is intended to sound like a strong statement of intent it is, in truth, just a soundbite that masks a lack of any clear sense of direction.” Sturgeon also fears that the UK is more likely than not going to go towards a hard Brexit, with limits on market access and restrictions on the freedom of movement, rather than a soft Brexit.

Sturgeon says that while the initial storm may have passed, recent economic indicators look inauspicious and that she anticipates an impact on jobs, investment, living standards and public services and wonders if a UK government facing shrinking tax revenues will be willing even to protect the funding that currently comes from the EU, let alone deliver the increased NHS spending that the 'Leave' campaign promised?

Sturgeon outlines her negotiating position. Taken together her list sounds very much like the current EU membership but without the possibility of sitting at the table and being involved in the discussions. Echoing the ‘Leave’ campaigners, this certainly could not be described as ‘taking back control’; on the contrary, it would be giving it up.

Sturgeon says a solution should reflect Scotland’s democratic choice to remain in the EU. To be told otherwise would be to override the views of Scotland on this question. While Scotland may not want a new independence referendum in the near future, they are certainly not ruling it out.

All economic interests should also be reflected in the discussions, including access to the single market, CAP (agricultural) payments, ‘passporting’ for the financial sector and access to research funding.

Sturgeon wants all core rights and protections for workers, currently protected under EU law to be maintained. She also wants to participate in the areas of mutual interest to address global challenges and threats, such as terrorism and crime.

While ideas are being floated, like "reverse Greenland" and the "Norway model", Sturgeon is currently agnostic and wants to consider all options.

Sturgeon is clear that involvement with other UK administrations and parliaments should be in the political decision to invoke Article 50; not just in the evidence gathering and consultation to inform that decision, but in the actual decision itself.

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