Holyrood backing of a People’s Vote on Brexit deal hailed as ‘momentous’
The Scottish Parliament has become the first UK legislature to back holding a public vote on the final terms of the Brexit deal.
Holyrood voted 66 to 28 in favour of a People’s Vote after it was put forward in a Liberal Democrat amendment to a government motion during a chamber debate on the Brexit threat to international scientific research in Scotland.
All Green MSPs and the majority of the SNP backed the Lib Dems in the face of unanimous Conservative opposition.
Two rebel Labour MSPs also gave their support, including the Scottish party’s former leader Kezia Dugdale.
She said it was the first time in her seven years as an MSP that she defied the Labour whip, adding: “I have been a longstanding supporter of a People’s Vote and I believe it would be a democratic outrage if the people of the UK are not given the chance to stop Brexit.
“The Scottish Parliament has sent out a strong message and I urge the UK Government to listen.”
Party colleague Daniel Johnson joined her to back a People’s Vote while all remaining Labour MSPs abstained, as did SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson.
Tonight I took the difficult decision to break the whip and vote for a People's Vote. The impact of Brexit on my constituents and the ever increasing risk of a no deal Brexit mean that I think a new vote is necessary.
— Daniel Johnson MSP (@DJohnsonMSP) November 7, 2018
Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott, who tabled the motion, said: “This is a momentous vote. The Scottish Parliament is the first in the UK to back a People’s Vote. It won’t be the last. This will only get bigger.
“MSPs and MPs who back the People’s Vote are fast forming the biggest and most cohesive bloc in British politics. Every day, more and more people are coming to the conclusion that the public should have their say on the final Brexit deal.”
He called on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the party’s Scottish leader to “change their strategy and build a majority vote in every part of the UK”.
Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP said: “Tonight’s vote was very clear, with an outright majority of MSPs voting in favour of a People’s Vote, and renewing the strong message that Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe against the clear public will.”
Tonight the Scottish Parliament has voted 66-28 in favour of a #PeoplesVote. Scotland should not be dragged out of Europe against the clear public will, and the case is growing for this final chance to stop the mess and cancel Brexit.
— Patrick Harvie 🇪🇺 (@patrickharvie) November 7, 2018
A Scotland for a People’s Vote campaign spokesman said: “This is a hugely significant and welcome decision of the Scottish Parliament – the first legislature in the UK to back a People’s Vote.”
He added: “Democracy demands a People’s Vote – where Holyrood has led, Westminster should follow.”
During the debate, higher education minister Richard Lochhead raised the prospect of a Brexit brain drain and said: “We have to stand together and stop that happening.”
Labour’s Iain Gray said Brexit has been a “chaotic and catastrophic process”, and urged the final deal must achieve as “close a relationship as possible with the EU”.
Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell accused the Lib Dems of having a “somewhat obsessive wish to hold another referendum”.
“We believe that this matter has already been settled and that the best Brexit deal will now be secured by ensuring co-operation across all the parties with everyone doing what they can to support the prime minister as she seeks to build a consensus,” he added.
