Gavin Newlands MP votes against Tory Brexit plan
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has voted against allowing the UK Government to enact Article 50 and providing the basis for our exit from the European Union.
During the debate in parliament, Mr Newlands spoke up in defence of freedom of movement and its importance to the national economy.
Mr Newlands called for the UK Government to respect the EU Referendum result in Scotland, including in Renfrewshire where 65% of voters voted to remain in the European Union.
98% of Scotland’s MPs voted against triggering Article 50.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“Leaving the EU will affect all our lives and it’s shameful that the UK government rushed through this flimsy Bill with little detail provided about what Brexit means for people throughout the UK.
“In standing up for Scotland, and people throughout the UK, the SNP submitted 50 amendments to the bill and successfully pressured the UK Government to finally publish a White Paper on our exit from the EU.
“I not only spoke against triggering Article 50 due to the shameful lack of information presented by the government and my own pro-EU views but because staying in the EU was the mandate that I received from the voters in Renfrewshire.
“The Tories are obsessed with immigration, ignoring how vital the freedom of movement is to our national economy.
“EU-born nationals have made a massive contribution to our society and it’s shameful that their future remains uncertain as the government are using them as ‘bargaining chips’ in a Tory Brexit game that no one wanted to play in the first place.
Mr Newlands also spoke about the dangers that a Hard Brexit will have on our economy, speaking about the impact on the aviation sector.
“Everyone in Renfrewshire knows how vital Glasgow airport is to our local economy in supporting 5200 jobs in Renfrewshire and the aviation sector contributes £1 billion a week to the wider UK economy. The aviation sector have been united in opposition to a Hard Brexit as the various EU aviation agreements are responsible for over half the flights in and out of the UK, but despite this, their very real concerns have been largely ignored.
“The Tories are willing to drive us off a cliff in their pursuit to appease the right-wing of their party. As the process continues, the SNP will continue to stand up for Scotland, and I will continue to stand up for the people of Renfrewshire.”
