The SNP’s failure to back greater sovereignty on fishing rights as outlined in the new EU-UK agreement is a “power fail”, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation last week said the declaration gave the UK “the power to assert its position as an independent coastal state with full, unfettered sovereignty over our waters”.
And in Brussels yesterday to sign the new UK-EU agreement, the Prime Minister confirmed that she would not trade away access or quotas on fishing as part of the wider economic partnership.
The Scottish Conservatives will now fight to ensure Scotland’s fishermen get the fairer deal they are seeking.
However, as confirmed by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford on this today’s Good Morning Scotland, the nationalists now plan to take the country straight back into the Common Fisheries Policy.
Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said:
“Theresa May has made clear in the last week that fishing rights will not be tied to any other aspect of the wider economic partnership.
“The fact that nations like France are now hitting back only goes to show they fear losing the preferential access they currently enjoy.
“It is time for parties to take a stand.
“Over the coming months, the Scottish Conservatives will stand with our fishing communities to insist we get the fairer deal we all want.
“It is in complete contrast to the bizarre position of the SNP.
“After years moaning about the CFP, the policy of Nicola Sturgeon’s party - the party of Scottish sovereignty and self-rule – is to pull up the white flag and head straight back in.
“Faced with the chance of handing real practical independence to our fishing communities, the party of independence prefers to wallow in grudge and grievance.
“It sums up the SNP’s entire position on Brexit. First Nicola Sturgeon complained about a non-existent power grab, now she wants to hand back the new powers we are indeed gaining.
“Bogus complaints about a power grab – and then a power fail when it matters. That’s Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP for you.”