The Scottish Parliament information centre which is non partisan has published a briefing about the current withdrawal agreement Bill and its implications for Scotland.
The report says “The new powers conferred on Scottish Ministers are also conferred on UK Ministers to act alone or jointly with Scottish Ministers. As a result, the powers granted to UK Ministers in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill extend to the whole of the UK and relate to both reserved and devolved matters. Consequently, the powers allow UK Ministers, acting alone, to make provision in devolved policy areas. This approach mirrors the current arrangements outlined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.”
” On this issue, the UK Government’s Delegated Powers Memorandum states that in respect of most of the powers set out below, whilst the UK Government can use these powers in areas of devolved competence, it will not normally do so without the agreement of the devolved administrations. This commitment is not provided for in clause 28 (fees and charges) or the Schedule 6 powers.”
Bruce Crawford, SNP MSP for Stirling said:
“Clearly there are a number of areas in the UK Government’s Withdrawal Bill where a further consequence of being dragged out of the EU -against Scotland’s democratically expressed will- would be in handing Tory Ministers in London the ability to overrule the Scottish Parliament on devolved issues. This is unacceptable and the people of Scotland have never consented to any part of this. As the Chair of the Finance and Constitution Committee at Holyrood, I have this week heard evidence from the Scottish Government’s Constitutional Relations Secretary about what this means for Scotland’s devolved abilities.”
Crawford added “Ultimately, the people of Stirling and the people of Scotland did not vote to leave the European Union at all. That is why my SNP colleagues and I will be voting to reject legislative consent to the UK Government’s Withdrawal Bill.”
The Scottish Parliament voted to reject legislative consent for the EU withdrawal Bill.
The Scotland office were unavailable for comment before publication.
Feature image credit: Bruce Crawford MSP
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