Scottish Government Debate: Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe

1. Stephen Gethins S7M-01448 That the Parliament believes that the best future for Scotland lies within the European Union (EU) and that EU membership should be sought as swiftly as possible. Further details available for S7M-01448 2. Neil Bibby S7M-01448.3 As an amendment to motion S7M-01448 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe), leave out from “believes” to end and insert “welcomes the Prime Minister’s recent commitment to comprehensively review the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU), including examining options for closer integration; believes that Brexit has caused profound economic harm and that a close relationship with Europe is fundamental to Scotland and the rest of the UK's prosperity and security; recognises that the interests of Scotland are best served by any return to European frameworks being negotiated on a UK wide basis to protect Scotland’s trade with the rest of the UK, and therefore calls on the Scottish Government to work constructively with the UK Government regarding its approach to the upcoming EU-UK summit and to find a consensus on a long term relationship with the EU that people in Scotland and the rest of the UK can unite around.” Further details available for S7M-01448.3 3. Gillian Mackay S7M-01448.2 As an amendment to motion S7M-01448 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe), insert at end “; recognises that Brexit has been a disaster for the economy and for individuals, and looks forward to the restoration of the benefits of EU membership.” Further details available for S7M-01448.2 4. Murdo Fraser S7M-01448.4 As an amendment to motion S7M-01448 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe), leave out from “believes” to end and insert "notes that in a referendum in 2016 the people of the UK voted to leave the EU; believes that the result of referendums should be respected; notes that trade between Scotland and the rest of the UK is three times the level of trade between Scotland and the EU; believes that in exiting the UK and joining the EU, Scotland would create a hard border and potentially currency divergence with our largest trading partner, which would be deeply damaging to Scotland’s economic interests, and accordingly commits to a future within an unrestricted UK domestic market for goods and services.” Further details available for S7M-01448.4 5. David Green S7M-01448.1 As an amendment to motion S7M-01448 in the name of Stephen Gethins (Scotland’s Prosperity and Future in Europe), insert at end ", and therefore believes that the first essential steps must be for the UK to join the single market as a member of the European Free Trade Area and European Economic Area, form a new UK-EU customs union and reach a new defence pact, in order to fully remove trade barriers to Europe, reverse years of economic damage that has been caused by the Brexit deal negotiated by the Conservative UK administration, and make the UK richer, safer and stronger." Further details available for S7M-01448.1