Tories accused of ‘undermining’ Scottish devolution with Brexit power grab – Daily Record

Scottish devolution is under threat from the Conservatives and "there is little anyone can do to stop them", John Swinney has claimed.

The Deputy First Minister used a speech today to launch a fresh attack on the UK Government over the controversial Internal Market Act introduced in the wake of Brexit.

The bill was passed last year by MPs at Westminster despite the Scottish Government t aking the rare step of withholding its consent.

Tory ministers argue the Internal Market is required as it harmonises rules and regulations on trade across the four UK nations.

But the SNP insists it is is little more than a power grab that allows Westminster to legislate on areas that should be the preserve of the Scottish Parliament.

Swinney told the Institute for Government the UK's present constitutional arrangement meant little could be done to stop Westminster from interfering with devolved administrations.

This UK Government is engaged in a project of undermining good governance in these islands," he said. "And under the UKs constitution there is little anyone can do to stop them.

That project exposes the fact that the UK is not what many people in Scotland believed, or hoped, it to be - a partnership of equals.

The SNP MSP claimed the passing of the Internal Market Act showed that instead of an arrangement based on recognition of each others areas of competence, interest and expertise, on trust and agreement, and which built on existing rules, we got the opposite he will say.

Swinney added: The Internal Market Act imposes a rigid system, with very limited exceptions, and with no consideration of the UKs inbuilt constitutional and economic imbalances. It is the assertion of centralising political power in the guise of even-handed market management.

Its primary purpose is to undermine devolution, constrain the choices of the devolved governments and legislatures, and diminish alternative centres of decision making and power in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the UK Government said: Now more than ever, people in Scotland want to see the UK and Scottish Governments working together to protect lives, jobs and recover from the effects of Covid-19 on our economy and public services.

The UK is by far the biggest market for Scotlands goods and services, accounting for 60 per cent of our trade.

The UK Internal Market Act ensures Scotland benefits as a full partner within the UK economy.

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Tories accused of 'undermining' Scottish devolution with Brexit power grab - Daily Record