LABOUR’S EUROPEAN BLUNDER WILL COST THEM SCOTS VOTES

LABOUR’S EUROPEAN BLUNDER WILL COST THEM SCOTS VOTES

MINISTER’S CASE ‘HAS NO CLOTHES ON’

In response to a press release issued by Ian Davidson MP which makes a
number of erroneous claims about the status of an independent Scotland
in the European Union, SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesperson, Pete
Wishart MP, dismissed the Labour claim as ludicrous.

Mr Wishart said:

"Labour's ludicrous argument is based on the silly idea that Scotland
would be an 'accession state'. They may not have noticed but Scotland
- like the rest of the UK - is already in the European Union. Both
Scotland and the rest of the UK would be successor states, and
therefore in exactly the same position as continuing members of the
EU.

"Labour must be scared stiff of the SNP challenge in the General
Election if they are reduced to trotting out this ancient and
discredited rubbish. Not for the first time, this Minister has been
left with no clothes on.

"The reality is set out in the Scottish Government's White Paper and
draft Referendum Bill. As independent members of the European Union,
both Scotland and the rest of the UK would enjoy full access to the
other's markets, with open borders and freedom to travel and work
throughout the EU.

"An independent Scotland and the rest of the UK would both be in
exactly the same position, and both would continue their membership of
the EU on the basis of equality - as a range of European and legal
experts have confirmed. By definition, neither Scotland nor the rest
of the UK would be 'accession countries'.

"Even the late Robin Cook, when Labour's Foreign Secretary, accepted
that an independent Scotland would remain a member of the EU: 'It's in
the nature of the European Union, it welcomes all-comers and Scotland
would be a member.' (BBC, July 2000).

"This daft election stunt will backfire badly on Labour in Scotland.
How can they possibly support independence in Europe for every other
nation, but attack the rights of Scotland - which happens to be the
most energy-rich country in the EU in terms of both oil and gas and
renewable power? Labour's anti-Scottish position is silly and will
cost them votes in Scotland."