David Lidington tells Nicola Sturgeon: Brexit is not an excuse to break up the UK
2 min read
Nationalists must not use Brexit as an excuse to split the UK apart, a top Cabinet minister warned today.
David Lidington - who serves as the de-facto deputy to Theresa May - said the break up of the Union would leave its four nations “weaker and poorer”.
SNP ministers in Edinburgh have threatened to vote against Brexit legislation when it comes to the Scottish Parliament for approval amid a row over the return of powers from Brussels.
Mr Lidington tried to allay concerns in Scotland and Wales that the UK government will carry out a "power grab" in areas such as fishing and agriculture by refusing to devolve them away from Westminster.
And he fired a warning shot to those who see Brexit as an opportunity to rally support for the nationalist cause.
"We as a country are at a crossroads in our history,” he said in North Wales as part of a series of ‘road to Brexit’ speeches by Government ministers.
“We face a choice: a choice that represents the difference between a prosperous, secure nation united at home and stronger abroad, and a poorer country divided at home and a weaker player on the global stage.
"Leaving the EU presents many challenges for our centuries-old union - and opportunities too.
“Some want to use it as an excuse to loosen these ties that bind us together - even sever them completely. Such an outcome would leave every one of our four nations both weaker and poorer."
The Government set up a special Joint Ministerial Council to discuss the Brexit process with the devolved nations.
But the SNP in particular have been unhappy with the talks, while Welsh Labour first minister Carwyn Jones has branded the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill a “power grab”.
Mr Lidington insisted that “the vast majority of powers returning from Brussels will start off in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast – and not in Whitehall”.
But he said Westminster will keep control over some areas that are usually devolved if they require “common UK frameworks,” such as in agriculture.
Michael Russell, the Brexit minister in Scotland, said: "The UK Government's approach makes a mockery of claims of a partnership of equals.
"They have failed to properly engage through the Joint Ministerial Committee process, while no Scottish MP or minister was invited to the Chequers summit on the final shape of Brexit."
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