Gavin Newlands MP challenges Tories to stand-up for Scotland
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has continued his campaign against the Tories’ Power Grab and their desire to remove powers from the Scottish Parliament.
Last Saturday, Mr Newlands led two street stalls in Renfrew and Erskine, speaking to local people about how the Tories shut out any Scottish MPs from taking part in the 15-minute debate on the impact that the EU Withdrawal Bill will have on devolution.
These campaign events were organised in light of the widespread anger from people in Scotland over the attempts by the Tories to strip powers from the Scottish Parliament.
The Member of Parliament for Paisley and Renfrewshire North then spoke in a debate in Parliament on Monday evening, challenging the Scottish Tories to join the SNP in standing-up for Scotland.
Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The Tories in their typically arrogant and high-handed manner continue to ignore the anger across Scotland over their actions last week. The UK Government ripped up the twenty-year-old devolution settlement in 15 minutes, stopping any Scottish MP from being able to take part in the debate.
“The result will mean that the UK Government will now be able to legislate in devolved areas without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. This is an extremely serious and retrograde step which downgrades devolution and represents the first time when powers have been clawed back by Westminster.
“Let’s remind ourselves, the Tories are no friends of the Scottish Parliament; they campaigned against its very creation and now they’re trying to keep devolved powers at Westminster.
“The issue now extends beyond Brexit. It is not about whether someone voted for Brexit or to remain, but about whether Westminster itself can actually serve Scotland.
“The Tories hoped that no one in Scotland would notice or care about Westminster’s power grab. They were wrong. It’s about time that the Scottish Conservatives join the SNP in standing-up for Scotland and for our Scottish Parliament.”
