The SNP’s Westminster leader has warned that the PM’s failure to accept the need to compromise to end the Brexit chaos, with just 10 days to go till the UK’s scheduled exit day, risks dragging Scotland off the cliff-edge, harming job opportunities and people’s livelihoods.

This week, SNP MPs will support plans for a bill published by Yvette Cooper which calls on the UK government to bring forward proposals to extend Article 50 in order to avoid crashing out of the EU without a deal.  Mr Blackford also said that parties must keep speaking to each other to find an agreed way forward if the government will not move.

Since the EU referendum nearly three years ago, the SNP has repeatedly reached out to opposition parties and the UK government to seek a compromise position to end the Brexit chaos. Last night in Westminster, the SNP backed revoking Article 50, putting the decision back to the people through a referendum, and in order to ensure it remains an option, the Common Market 2.0 proposal, which comes closest to the compromise position proposed by the Scottish Government in December 2016.  

Commenting, Ian Blackford MP said:

“We are just 10 days away from the UK’s scheduled exit date from the EU and the very real danger of a catastrophic no-deal Brexit, and rather than seeking a compromise position, the Prime Minister’s sheer intransigence is instead dragging Scotland and the UK off the cliff-edge.

"This week, SNP MPs support the aim of the Cooper bill which will look to bring proposals to parliament to extend Article 50 and remove the danger of a no-deal exit in just over a weeks' time. 

“Given everything we now know and the detrimental impact Brexit will have on Scotland’s economy, job opportunities and people's livelihoods, it is clear that the Prime Minister must extend Article 50 and bring this back to the people in a second referendum – with the option to remain on the ballot paper.

“The SNP has consistently sought to reach a cross-party position to end the Brexit impasse, including options for a second EU referendum, as well as the Common Market 2.0 proposal, which came closest to the compromise position proposed by the Scottish Government back in December 2016, and we will continue to do so.

“Time is fast running out and the Prime Minister must end her narrow minded approach based on appeasing the extreme Brexiteers in her party, and opposition parties must work with the SNP to seek a genuine cross-party solution to end the Tory-driven chaos.

“The SNP’s priority is to stop the Brexit chaos and the consequences it will have on Scotland and the UK’s economy, jobs and living standards. Scotland’s interests have been ignored throughout the Brexit process and any pretence that Scotland is treated as an equal partner in the UK has gone out the window. It is clear beyond doubt that the only way to properly protect Scotland’s interests is with independence.”