Theresa May vows never to allow Britain to become ‘looser and weaker’ in warning to Nicola Sturgeon as they meet for crunch talks in Scotland
THERESA May has vowed never to allow Britain to become “looser and weaker” in a warning to Nicola Sturgeon as they met for crunch talks in Scotland this afternoon.
During showdown talks in Glasgow yesterday the PM insisted: “My position isn’t going to change.”
Just 48 hours before Mrs May triggers Brexit tomorrow she again told Scotland’s nationalist First Minister that “now is not the time” for another referendum.
She also refused to be pinned down on any future date for it, saying Scots must first be able to see how leaving the EU works out.
Instead Mrs May called on the nation to join the rest of the Union in “pulling together to make sure we get the best possible deal” for the UK.
Tomorrow the Scottish Parliament is expected to pass a vote in favour of seeking fresh ballot on leaving the UK, despite May slapping Ms Sturgeon down – saying "now is not the time".
The PM and the First Minister met for talks in Glasgow this afternoon ahead of Article 50 being triggered
The PM’s visit came before the Scottish Parliament votes today on whether to back the call for a referendum.
SNP leader Ms Sturgeon said she was “disappointed” with Mrs May’s refusal to discuss an independence vote.
And she said the PM also failed to offer Scotland any new powers once EU controls on areas such as fishing, agriculture and energy end after Brexit.
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Ms Sturgeon also claimed to have trapped Mrs May by forcing her to admit Britain’s trading relationship with the EU would be known by the autumn of 2018 — when she wants the referendum.
The First Minister said: “She is adamant that the terms of Brexit will be clear before the UK exits the EU.
“It makes it very difficult for the Prime Minister to maintain a rational opposition to a referendum in the timescale I have set out.”
Research by think-tank Demos yesterday revealed Wales is the region most at risk from the consequences of a hard Brexit with no deal, followed by Northern Ireland.
Both rely heavily on EU funding, have high levels of exports to the union and a large number of EU workers. And manufacturing, agriculture and energy will be the sectors of the economy hardest hit.
Meanwhile, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said all of the EU and the UK will face “severe consequences” if Britain leaves without a deal.
But he said it would “undoubtedly leave the UK worse off”.
