Photo by Adam Wilson on Unsplash
The SNP says it is the only party offering Scotland a route back into the European Union.
Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan also accused the Conservatives and Labour of having “utterly abandoned Scotland’s European future”.
Her comments just ahead of the UK general election this Thursday 4th July.
Both the Conservatives and Labour remain opposed to the UK rejoining the EU, and have also rejected the possibility of a youth mobility scheme between the EU and UK.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has said that Brexit, under the current trade arrangements, will reduce long-run productivity in the UK by 4% compared to if it remained in the EU.
The Scottish Government said that equates to £3bn a year in lost public revenues north of the border.
The SNP believes that EU membership delivers “many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland.”
A spokesman told this site, “We believe that the best way to build a more prosperous and equal Scotland is to be a full independent member of the EU.”
On 23 June, the spokesman said that the people of Scotland voted decisively to remain within the European Union “and we firmly believe that EU membership is the best option for Scotland.”
“Brexit undoubtedly changes the way that Scotland engages with the EU, but it will not change the EU’s importance to Scotland, nor our commitment to rejoining the EU as soon as possible.”
“By rejoining the EU we will create jobs and regain full access to the European Single Market, which is seven times the size of the UK.”
“We will prepare to rejoin the EU by keeping a close relationship with Europe. We will strengthen our Brussels base and make Scotland House the hub of our diplomatic representation across Europe.”
Party leader John Swinney has said the Scottish government will be “empowered” to begin negotiations for a second independence referendum if the SNP wins a majority of Scottish seats at the general election.
An independent Scotland would re-join the EU, Swinney said, adding that independence would help build a “fair and prosperous economy”, but “success is not guaranteed”.
