SNP vows to block flagship Brexit laws

  • Scottish and Welsh Government representatives are in London for talks today 
  • Both administrations must give ‘legislative consent’ to crucial Brexit laws 
  • Cardiff and Edinburgh fear a ‘power grab’ in Westminster if they pass the laws  

Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP Government today warned it would veto flagship Brexit laws without new concessions on devolution.

Scottish and Welsh ministers were in London today for talks with Damian Green, Theresa May’s deputy, on the so-called Repeal Bill. 

The massive piece of legislation copies all EU laws on to the British statute book to ensure all laws work the same the day after Brexit in March 2019 as the day before. 

But Edinburgh and Cardiff fear a ‘power grab’ by Westminster politicians reluctant to hand over powers currently used in Brussels to devolved assemblies. 

SNP Brexit Minister Mike Russell (second left, far side of the table) said Nicola Sturgeon’s Government was not prepared to agree a legislative consent motion 

First Secretary Damian Green (left) and Brexit Secretary David Davis hosted the devolved governments in London today to brief them on the repeal bill 

First Secretary Damian Green (left) and Brexit Secretary David Davis hosted the devolved governments in London today to brief them on the repeal bill 

The Brexit laws will be passed in London but the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly must agree ‘legislative consent’ motions. 

SNP Brexit Minister Mike Russell said today he was not reassured by Mr Green and Ms Sturgeon’s government continued to oppose the consent motion.  

He said: ‘However we remain unable to recommend the Scottish Parliament consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill as currently drafted and will not be able to do so until the power grab is removed from the bill.

‘I have and will continue to press for the amendments suggested by ourselves and the Welsh Government to be accepted, removing the power grab and providing a clear solution that respects devolution.’

The UK Government has said it is necessary to bring powers back to Westminster before devolving them in order to develop common frameworks and prevent trade barriers being created within the UK.

The massive piece of legislation copies all EU laws on to the British statute book to ensure all laws work the same the day after Brexit in March 2019 as the day before

The massive piece of legislation copies all EU laws on to the British statute book to ensure all laws work the same the day after Brexit in March 2019 as the day before

Politicians in Edinburgh and Cardiff fear a 'power grab' by Westminster politicians reluctant to hand over powers currently used in Brussels to devolved assemblies

Politicians in Edinburgh and Cardiff fear a ‘power grab’ by Westminster politicians reluctant to hand over powers currently used in Brussels to devolved assemblies

Mr Green described the JMC as ‘very constructive’ and ‘successful’ but rejected accusations of a power grab.

The First Secretary of State told reporters: ‘I think you will see from principles that we have agreed today that talk of a power grab is now behind us.

‘We’ve agreed that obviously there need to be ways in which we preserve the UK single market so we don’t damage businesses in Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland.

‘But (also) that we fully respect the devolution settlements, that we expect this to end with more powers going to the devolved administrations than they have had under the previous arrangement.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk