#Brexit: Democratic will of people of Scotland 'must be recognized'

In a European Parliament debate on the future of the EU, dominated by the response to Brexit, SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP (pictured) called for the democratic will of the people of Scotland to be recognized.

The debate followed a major speech on the 'State of the Union' by EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker who made clear that the UK could not expect 'a la carte' access to the single market.

Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union at the referendum held in June this year on the UK's membership.

Speaking in the debate, Ian Hudghton MEP said: "The EU is not perfect, President Juncker accepts that, and I welcome some of the initiatives that he mentioned to tackle challenges such as in the area of job creation and connectivity, and social justice.

"President Juncker also said that the EU should empower citizens and embrace solidarity. Well the people of Scotland voted in June to remain in the European Union, to constructively continue to work on collective challenges.

"Cross-party efforts are being made right now in Scotland to identify all possible means of protecting Scotland's position, particularly within the single market. The Scottish government is working hard to persuade the UK government to recognize the democratic will of the people of Scotland in formulating its negotiating position, if it ever gets round to that.

"I hope that the Commission, the Council and this Parliament will be open to imaginatively finding a way to reflect the democratic will of people in Scotland. That would be solidarity."

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