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The Tories have a habit of thinking they can do whatever they want to Scotland and get away with it.

This week, the Tory Government decided to press ahead with its power-grab to keep Scotland’s powers in London – not in Scotland. And they did this despite the fact that the Scottish Parliament voted by 93 to 30 not to consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Britain is on course for a ‘constitutional crisis’ over Brexit, warns Mhairi Black

The actions of Theresa May’s government have brought us to the point of constitutional crisis.

It is absolutely outrageous for the Tories to undermine our devolution settlement and ignore the will of the Scottish people.




The Sewel Convention says that the UK government cannot legislate without the consent of the Scottish Parliament on devolved matters – consent was denied and yet the Tories railroaded through their power-grab.

Not only did the anti-Scottish Tories defy the will of the Scottish people – they downgraded devolution, allowing a measly 15 minutes of debate on devolved matters. Fifteen minutes that denied any Scottish MP the opportunity to contribute to the debate as the Tory minister took up the entire time.

This is very serious situation where Scotland has been shafted and silenced by the UK Government.

After being denied the opportunity to debate, denied emergency legislation by the prime minister and denied a vote under standing orders, we in the SNP were left with no option but to leave the chamber in protest after the Westminster Leader Ian Blackford was disgracefully expelled from the chamber for standing up for Scotland.

Imagine being expelled for asking that Scotland’s voice be heard.

The shameful actions of the UK government will not be forgotten in Scotland.

The Tories who, in 1998, fought against our Parliament’s reconvening, are now trying to dismantle devolution. While we are fighting to keep power in Scotland’s hands, the Tories are fighting to take power from Scotland.

Members of Parliament for the Scottish National Party walk out of the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions after their leader Ian Blackford was asked to leave by the Speaker. Picture: Reuters

In the 2014 independence referendum, both Labour and the Tories promised that Scotland would be treated as an equal and with respect. We were told to ‘lead the UK, not leave’.

This week, the Tory government reached a new low. The level of disrespect and distain shown towards our nation is staggering if not predictable. The Tories respect for Scotland is skin-deep at best.

As we approach this time of critical challenge and change, the people of Scotland will have heard loud and clear that it is the SNP who are standing up for Scotland, for their interests. And we won’t stop.

We will use every device, opportunity and avenue to ensure Scotland’s voice is heard.

But the Tories will now have to answer why they seek to gag the voices of the Scottish people and why they continue to drag us down the path of a hard Brexit that will bring chaos to our communities.

History will not look kindly on those who choose to destroy devolution.

This is a defining moment for all of us – if the UK government wants to change course, it must do so immediately by recognising and respecting the will of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government and the Scottish people.



In Scotland, the people are sovereign; we in the SNP will take our lead from them, not from a bunch of Brexiteers trying to hold onto power for powers’ sake.

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