Brexit has been a disaster for Scotland. Now, only 11% of the whole UK population believe it has been more of a success than a failure. The vast majority believe that over a range of issues such as international trade, crime and the cost of living, the evidence and our lived experience show the effects of Brexit as fairly or very negative. An incoming government in Edinburgh must be brave and fearless. It must challenge both Westminster and Brussels to put their money where they say their mouth is and consider a new future for Scotland in Europe.
What can Scotland do about this?
Scotland will hold a general election in May of 2026. This will give us a new government for the period 2026-31. We need new ideas and a resetting of our relationship with our biggest and nearest trading partner, even if the UK is reluctant to face reality and correct the mistakes of the Brexit referendum of 2016. A new Scottish Government could be radical and apply to rejoin the Single Market, rejoin the Erasmus scheme and restore better cultural links between Scotland and the rest of Europe. This would give a boost to our farmers, fishermen, musicians and students. All are seeking new hope for a better future and are currently being stymied by a lack of ambition in Downing Street.
An incoming administration should set up a European Union Affairs group, similar to the European Policy and Coordination Unit in Northern Ireland. This could include all political parties who wish to be members and set about developing a better relationship with the EU from the very start of the new Scottish Parliament. We need a more radical and urgent approach to signal to the outside world that we are not happy with the post Brexit economy. We should demonstrate that we are not going to take a downward spiral of political and economic decline as the inevitable outcome of the Farage/ Johnson/Gove future as offered in 2016.
The constitutional question – could a Scottish Government do this?
The 2016 referendum was merely advisory. It did not bind us to any course of action and certainly did not stipulate that we had to enter the quagmire we currently find ourselves in. Remember Scotland did not vote for Brexit. That honour falls to other parts of the UK. If there is a constitutional issue arising from such a course of action by an incoming Scottish Government, then I think there is an argument that the Constitution should be changed.
The Reform alternative
In 2015, Nigel Farage promised farmers and fishermen that they would have nothing to fear about leaving the European Union. The reality has been that this action has imposed new barriers, checks, tests, extra costs and realms of red tape on trade with our largest market.
The same Nigel Farage, he of the huge earnings made outside Parliament as he represents the good people of Clacton, is now advocating a new trade deal with Trump’s USA. Say ‘hello’ to cheap chlorinated chicken and hormone treated beef to a supermarket near you. Such a deal will undermine UK producers, flooding our supermarkets with lower priced and lower quality products.
Reform says, “Britain is Broken”
This is nonsense. Reform pedal lies. Beware when Reform say that they will “fix it”. Beware when they claim, only they will stand up for Scottish culture and values. Reform has no interest in Scotland’s future; they only want to be elected to make money for themselves. Scottish culture and values are a reflection on all the people who have made Scotland their home and who currently live, study and work in this great country of ours.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, stated when asked to reflect on his 25 years as an elected Labour politician.
“During that time, we have made good changes that have benefitted this country. But this has been characterised by too much timidity in our offer, too much reluctance to show the courage of our convictions.’’
The next Scottish Government must not make the same mistake.
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