Scottish Parliament set to refuse consent on Brexit trade deal

The Scottish Parliament is expected to refuse consent to the Brexit trade deal in a vote on Wednesday.

The SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens have already outlined their decision not to back the agreement, meaning it is unable to gain a majority unless MSPs break the party line.

A debate is due to be held in Holyrood this afternoon before the vote.

Nicola Sturgeon updates MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. Picture: Pool/Fraser Bremner/Daily Mail

The legislative consent motion lodged at the Scottish Parliament states the government should not consent to the "inadequate and damaging" Brexit deal with the EU.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The Scottish Parliament, like the people of Scotland, has consistently voiced support for Scotland's membership of the EU and - since the 2016 referendum - for single market and customs union membership.

"The question before the Scottish Parliament is not about this deal or no deal, but whether this deal is good or bad for Scotland.

"The Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament consistently suggested alternatives. While recognising the UK would leave the EU, we proposed staying in the single market and customs union.

"The UK Government dismissed these ideas. It disregarded Scotland's views, values and interests. It has agreed a deal which is disastrous for Scotland.

"The UK Government's deal will impose costs on businesses, reduce the opportunities of its citizens, and sacrifice its own international influence - in order to gain powers it will struggle to use.

"Even for the fishing industry - perhaps the only sector that genuinely believed that Brexit would deliver benefits - this deal represents a massive sell out and broken promise.

"The result is a deal which is harmful for the UK as a whole - but perhaps especially harmful for Scotland. It should not receive the Scottish Parliament's consent."

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "Boris Johnson promised more than a year ago that he would 'get Brexit done', and that his deal was 'oven ready' - yet his shambolic government is racing to ratify its half-baked Brexit deal the day before the end of the transition period.

"There is no co-production here; no engagement with industry, trade unions or devolved governments on the terms of this trade deal, and barely any parliamentary scrutiny let alone public participation.

"It is our duty to stand up for Scotland in Parliament. But it is also our duty to protect Scottish businesses and jobs from the damage that this deal will do, and that means the SNP Government must distribute the £300 million of Barnett consequentials.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "The Scottish Greens refuse to accept this false choice between a calamitous no-deal and the Prime Minister's version, which still drags Scotland out of Europe, losing vital rights and protections as well as the ability for our students to study abroad as part of the Erasmus plus scheme.

"This Brexit has no mandate, it was won on half-truths and worse, and is being delivered by incompetent hubris.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie added: "With our long track record of advocating membership of the European Union people won't be surprised that the Liberal Democrats can't support the Conservative Government's strategy on Brexit and the last-minute trade deal they reached."

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "The deal the UK Government has secured with the EU is great news for Scotland.”