Gavin Newlands MP Calls for the PM to respect Scottish Democracy
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North has called on Theresa May to respect the Scottish Parliament vote next week on whether there should be an independence referendum after the Brexit negotiations are concluded, but before Scotland is dragged out of the EU.
Last Thursday the Prime Minister rejected the Scottish Government’s plans to hold a referendum on Scottish independence saying that ‘now is not the time’ for a referendum. Gavin Newlands MP said: "Theresa May should give a clear and unambiguous statement that she will listen to the democratic wishes of Scotland's national parliament. She should respect Scottish democracy and the Scottish Government’s mandate. "If she does not, this will be proof that the Tories have returned to the bad old days of Thatcher's Britain running roughshod over Scotland - and the people of Scotland will not accept that. "Nobody is proposing that there should be a referendum held right now. The Prime Minister knows that and everyone understands that. But if it's only fair to be able to conclude Brexit negotiations before a referendum, then it's only fair that the people should have their say in the months after that, before the UK leaves the EU. "If it's fair for other parliaments to have their say in that period, it's only fair for Scottish voters to have their say at the same time. "What would be unfair is to deny people in Scotland their choice. That would be undemocratic, unacceptable and totally unsustainable."
