Scotland's Sturgeon warns of catastrophic 'no deal' Brexit

By Alessandra Galloni and Alistair Smout

 

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, speaks at a Reuters Newsmaker event, in London, Britain May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May's failure to come up with a coherent Brexit stance means the United Kingdom is at greater risk of spiralling towards a "no deal" Brexit with catastrophic consequences, Scotland's leader said.

 

In a step that will shape the United Kingdom's prosperity and global influence for generations to come, Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29 next year, though the terms of the separation are still unclear.

 

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she felt there was no majority for a hard Brexit in the country but that the United Kingdom was at a juncture when momentum could swing either towards a softer Brexit or a "no deal" Brexit.

 

"At some point that majority for the least damaging Brexit, a softer Brexit, at some point has to assert itself," Sturgeon told a discussion at Thomson Reuters in London.

 

"The danger, if I am being less optimistic, or pessimistic, is that the whole process crashes before that can emerge because time is running out and the clock is ticking."

 

Both the EU and the UK need an agreement to keep trade flowing between the world’s biggest trading bloc and the sixth largest global economy, though a transition period until the end of 2020 could limit the disruption to global trade.

 

May is trying to strike a trade deal with the EU by October while at the same time negotiating with her party and senior members of her divided minority government over Brexit.

 

The other 27 members of the EU combined have about five times the economic might of Britain. They also have a strong incentive to deny the UK a deal so attractive it might encourage others to follow the British example.

 

"I guess there is a real risk - probably a greater risk today than there was three, six, nine months ago - of the whole process falling apart," Sturgeon said. "There is a real risk of a no deal Brexit and that would be pretty catastrophic."

 

Sturgeon, who commands 35 Scottish National Party lawmakers in the Westminster parliament, said there was a real chance of parliament forcing the government to remain in the customs union.

 

"INDEPENDENCE FOR EVER"

Sturgeon, who took the helm of the Scottish National Party after Scots voted to reject independence in a September 2014 referendum, said the idea was far from dead.

 

"There will be different opinions as to whether we should do that now or in five years or ten years' time, but with that body of opinion, a constitutional option like independence is not going to be off the table," she said.

 

Scots voted 55-45 to stay in the United Kingdom in a 2014 referendum, while the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to leave the EU in the 2016 Brexit vote.

 

Sturgeon, 47, said that when there was clarity on the shape of the Brexit deal between the United Kingdom and the EU then she would be ready to give more details about Scotland's attitude towards a new independence vote.

 

"I'm not sure independence will ever be off the table until it's realised," she said.

 

Sturgeon said her party had launched a commission to examine the policy options for its stance on the currency of an independent Scotland. It will report within the next few weeks.

 

"My party does not propose or support using the euro, so the options the commission has been looking at: sterling in a currency union, sterling outwith a currency union, or a process that would lead to a distinctive Scottish currency over time," she said.

 

When asked about a reported ban at Donald Trump’s luxury Scottish golf resort of Irn Bru, the nation's most popular soft drink, Sturgeon chuckled.

 

The ban on the luminous orange drink at Trump Turnberry, a sprawling estate on the west coast of Scotland with dramatic sea views, caused a furore in Scotland.

 

"It makes for a great headline: Trump bans Irn Bru from Turnberry," Sturgeon said with a smile. "He is very keen to proclaim his Scottish connections, his mother was born on the Scottish islands, so I'm sure he likes Irn Bru."

 

(Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Roche)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-15

Had forgotten about old Fish Face - thought she was dead

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

Scots voted 55-45 to stay in the United Kingdom in a 2014 referendum, while the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to leave the EU in the 2016 Brexit vote.

Also worth noting Scots voted to stay in the EU 62-38.

9 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Also worth noting Scots voted to stay in the EU 62-38.

Cap in hand to UK or EU to solve her financial issues. 

17 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

Also worth noting Scots voted to stay in the EU 62-38.

Also worth noting that it was not a Scottish vote but an UK vote.

9 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Cap in hand to UK or EU to solve her financial issues. 

Can you be more specific?

3 minutes ago, vogie said:

Also worth noting that it was not a Scottish vote but an UK vote.

But the union is an agreement of 4 countries or states to work together; not for the desires of the largest member state to override the wishes of the other members.

Not to worry,when Rees-Mogg become Prime minster,he will create thousands of job's by building Spitfires,Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers,also hundreds of gun boats,introduce conscription,and then THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.

After all the Pollyanna BS of pro Brexit campaign, it seems to be dawning on even the ruling class there simply is no Brexit deal that will somehow make UK better off. Time for a another vote with the actual realistic projections from independent accounting on just what this ill thought out and deceptively promoted referendum would cost

"My party does not propose or support using the euro, so the options the commission has been looking at: sterling in a currency union, sterling outwith a currency union, or a process that would lead to a distinctive Scottish currency over time," she said.

 

Sterling - not your decision sweetie. That would be one for the British government. 

 

Euro - not your decision sweetie. That would be the EU - and you'd me very very lucky to meet their criteria. Although I do believe there is a requirement that any new applicants agree to adopt the Euro at the earliest opportunity.

 

Still suffering her delusions of grandeur, stating the "bleedin'obvious" and then claiming she'll make all sorts of decision way above her level of glorified council leader.

 

But she needs to appear relevant. Because she actually isn't very.

3 minutes ago, Emster23 said:

After all the Pollyanna BS of pro Brexit campaign, it seems to be dawning on even the ruling class there simply is no Brexit deal that will somehow make UK better off. Time for a another vote with the actual realistic projections from independent accounting on just what this ill thought out and deceptively promoted referendum would cost

 

If only that were likely.

 

Sadly, politicians don't deal in reality or truth.

3 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

But the union is an agreement of 4 countries or states to work together; not for the desires of the largest member state to override the wishes of the other members.

 

The country is the United Kingdom. Your nationality is British.

 

Despite what FIFA and the IRB allow for sports purposes. 

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

Also worth noting Scots voted to stay in the EU 62-38.

 

So what? Irrelevant.

 

Some cities voted to remain, whilst their counties voted to leave. So?

 

It was a county wide referendum. The country is the UK. The UK is the EU member.  The British people voted 52-48 in favor of Brexit. 

 

I might not like the result and I might not like such an important decision being made on a simple first past the post and with such a narrow margin. But it is what it is.

 

And none of the major UK parties have the balls to do anything about it - because of their own agendas.

 

As for Sturgeon - her opinion is like Mayor Khan and other similar elected officials. 

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Had forgotten about old Fish Face - thought she was dead

 

The joke on FB was that at university she was known as "sea-weed".

 

 

Because.................................

 

even the tide wouldn't take her out!

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Cap in hand to UK or EU to solve her financial issues. 

They are going to need some money after that "NEW" War ship sent for sea trails  fiasco  last week. EU ? UK  ? Somebody .HELLLP!

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

"My party does not propose or support using the euro, so the options the commission has been looking at: sterling in a currency union, sterling outwith a currency union, or a process that would lead to a distinctive Scottish currency over time," she said.

 

Sterling - not your decision sweetie. That would be one for the British government. 

 

Euro - not your decision sweetie. That would be the EU - and you'd me very very lucky to meet their criteria. Although I do believe there is a requirement that any new applicants agree to adopt the Euro at the earliest opportunity.

 

Still suffering her delusions of grandeur, stating the "bleedin'obvious" and then claiming she'll make all sorts of decision way above her level of glorified council leader.

 

But she needs to appear relevant. Because she actually isn't very.

She is the leader of the 3rd largest party in the country and the most popular party by percentage of possible members - dismiss her all you like, but she is outplaying the PM, Ruth Davidson and all the other remainers turned brexiteers who are intent on leading the UK off the cliff.

Far more clever and realistic to have had a vote AFTER having a good idea of what the exit terms would be? Voting to leave and have no idea of what is on the table was not the best idea.

 

The British peoples were sold a right dud, gung-ho chaps puppy by, amongst others, Boring Johnson and the laughing Hyena LaFrage.

Lies, more lies and downright lies by this duo surely influenced a lot of voters? 

 

The waffling and indecision by the UK government is a laughing stock. 

 

A final vote in Parliament seems the obvious (?).

 

Get back to looking after the bins and other council business dear.let the proper politicians get on with running the country

Sent from my SM-A720F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

1 minute ago, harleyclarkey said:

Far more clever and realistic to have had a vote AFTER having a good idea of what the exit terms would be? Voting to leave and have no idea of what is on the table was not the best idea.

 

The British peoples were sold a right dud, gung-ho chaps puppy by, amongst others, Boring Johnson and the laughing Hyena LaFrage.

Lies, more lies and downright lies by this duo surely influenced a lot of voters? 

 

The waffling and indecision by the UK government is a laughing stock. 

 

A final vote in Parliament seems the obvious (?).

 

It is a bit of a bind though - as you say, the UK public were hoodwinked and the vast majority of supposed experts predict little good coming from the outcome - why, then, should Scotland hang around to see just how painful it is? If there was no Brexit and we had voted for independence, that too would be painful - there is an argument to take the pain all in one hit rather than go through Brexit induced pain AND then independence induced pain at some point in the future.

 

Then there are a hardcore of independence supporters who want to break from the UK regardless of the outcomes of Brexit. The SNP manifestos for both Holyrood and Westminster stated that, in the event of a material change in the UK's relationship with the EU they would seek a second independence referendum. These hardcore want to see that mandate exercised.

 

That said, not all independence supporters are remainers - around 30%, I believe, backed Brexit.

4 minutes ago, i claudius said:

Get back to looking after the bins and other council business dear.let the proper politicians get on with running the country

Sent from my SM-A720F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Can I request more of this dismissive arrogance? It all helps win more people over to the cause.

What will HMG do with these/faslane?

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-massive-25bn-investment-in-uk-nuclear-submarines

 

More links

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eu-withdrawal-bill-vital-for-uk-market-and-respects-devolution

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/protecting-the-vital-uk-common-market-david-lidington-speech 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-of-the-duchy-of-lancaster-speech-to-cbi-scotland 

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/celebrating-trading-opportunities-between-china-and-the-uk (all of it!)

bitching ''sweaty sox'' as usual .never happy

14 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

bitching ''sweaty sox'' as usual .never happy

Thanks for a fine contribution to the topic. You have anything to say about the topic, or only about a person you clearly don't like.

7 hours ago, Emster23 said:

After all the Pollyanna BS of pro Brexit campaign, it seems to be dawning on even the ruling class there simply is no Brexit deal that will somehow make UK better off. Time for a another vote with the actual realistic projections from independent accounting on just what this ill thought out and deceptively promoted referendum would cost

I think that prospect will terrify the Brexiteers.  They really don't want to face up to the reality of Brexit.

20 hours ago, RuamRudy said:

But the union is an agreement of 4 countries or states to work together; not for the desires of the largest member state to override the wishes of the other members.

Wales voted for Brexit by the same margin as did England, so your contention falls at the starting gate.

 

In fact, of the UK's nine regions, only 3 voted to remain; Scotland, N.Ireland, and London.

1 hour ago, RickBradford said:

Wales voted for Brexit by the same margin as did England, so your contention falls at the starting gate.

 

In fact, of the UK's nine regions, only 3 voted to remain; Scotland, N.Ireland, and London.

I am not claiming that Scotland should have a veto - just that Scotland should not be forced into a position that its residents clearly don't want, especially as that situation being forced upon them is the opposite of one of the main promises which led to us rejecting independence.

 

Much as I would never suggest that England should be forced to follow the will of the Scots, clearly the union is not a union of equals when the wishes of 3 of the 4 partners are largely irrelevant. The union is not fit for purpose as it does not take into account the wishes of all its member states. It cannot - which is why it should be disbanded and a new era of mutual friendship and cooperation enbarked upon - better for everyone concerned.

12 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

bitching ''sweaty sox'' as usual .never happy

We will be happy soon - the clock is ticking.

Worry not remember Boris Gove and Farangatang saying we will get a better deal out than in as they led the flat cap and whippet brexit north up the winding path to lala land. Should be any day now just trust us millionaires.

1 hour ago, RuamRudy said:

I am not claiming that Scotland should have a veto - just that Scotland should not be forced into a position that its residents clearly don't want, especially as that situation being forced upon them is the opposite of one of the main promises which led to us rejecting independence.

 

Much as I would never suggest that England should be forced to follow the will of the Scots, clearly the union is not a union of equals when the wishes of 3 of the 4 partners are largely irrelevant. The union is not fit for purpose as it does not take into account the wishes of all its member states. It cannot - which is why it should be disbanded and a new era of mutual friendship and cooperation enbarked upon - better for everyone concerned.

When was it decided it was supposed to be a union of equals?

 

Do you imagine that the EU is a union of equals? Why should Germany have 29 votes in the Council of Europe when Estonia only has 4?

 

So, better that the EU is disbanded, and a new era of mutual friendship and cooperation can be embarked upon - better for everyone concerned.

9 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

When was it decided it was supposed to be a union of equals?

 

Do you imagine that the EU is a union of equals? Why should Germany have 29 votes in the Council of Europe when Estonia only has 4?

 

So, better that the EU is disbanded, and a new era of mutual friendship and cooperation can be embarked upon - better for everyone concerned.

Well, the union having never been put to plebiscite, and the resulting riots in Scotland when it was put in place show that regardless of the structure, it was not something that the Scottish people willingly walked into.

 

But let's put it this way - would you be happy if all powers in Westminster were transferred to Holyrood, and that the Scots took all major decisions facing England? Seems a bit unfair to me - if I were English I would not accept it.

 

Regardless of what happens with the the future of the EU post Brexit, Scotland will be out of it, so your final point is moot. One step at a time - let's disband this unequal and unsatisfactory union within the UK and then the Scots can decide their own future with respect to the EU.