SNP MP parodies Trainspotting speech in Brexit debate

A speech from the film Trainspotting has been parodied in the Commons to reflect the SNP's concerns over Brexit.

Scottish nationalist MP Hannah Bardell (Livingston) praised the adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s novel by paraphrasing the film’s famous Choose Life monologue to express her fears over the vote to leave the EU.

The speech, delivered by actor Ewan McGregor in the 1996 film, called on viewers to “Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family”.

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Ms Bardell told MPs: “Choose Brexit. Choose making up numbers from thin air about the NHS and plastering them on the side of buses. Choose racist and xenophobic sentiments seeping out from some corners of the Leave campaign.

“Choose hate crime rising by over 40% and LGBT hate crime by 150% in England and Wales following the Brexit vote.

“Choose taking the people of our nations to the polls on one of the most important issues of a generation with nothing written down and no plan.”

Speaking during the second day of debate on the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, Ms Bardell added: “Choose the great Brexit power grab, taking back control of straight bananas. Choose returning to the Thatcher era of poverty and austerity.

“Choose the UK turning its back on Europe.”

She said the Government’s plans for a hard Brexit did not reflect the views of the Scottish people and ignoring their wish could herald the break-up of the United Kingdom.