HOLYROOD has become the first parliament in the UK to back a second Brexit referendum.
MSPs voted 66 to 28 in favour of “providing unequivocal support for a public vote on the final terms of the Brexit deal" after a debate on the impact of exiting the EU on scientific research.
The SNP, LibDems and Greens lined up to back a symbolic motion which included a People’s Vote amendment tabled by the LibDems.
With the UK Government firmly against a second referendum, the Tories opposed the idea.
However not all parties were united, with SNP MSP Kenny Gibson abstaining, and former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Labour MSP Daniel Johnson breaking their party whip - which was to abstain - to back a People’s Vote.
Former SNP minister Alex Neil, a Brexiter, was among 14 MSPs not to vote.
Nicola Sturgeon recently backed a People’s Vote, despite concerns within the SNP that it could set a precedent for a confirmatory vote on Independence after a Yes vote.
SNP MP Pete Wishart last week warned a People’s Vote posed a risk to independence.
LibDem Tavish Scott, whose amendment passed 65-30, said it was a “momentous vote”.
He said: “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."
LibDem MP Alistair Carmichael added: “Labour must now follow their London Mayor Sadiq Khan and other leading Labour figures in giving people a say on the final deal, including the option of an exit from Brexit."
Ms Dugdale, who has long campaigned for a People's Vote, said: “This is the first time in my seven years as an MSP that I have broken the Labour whip, and I took no pleasure in doing so.
“But this was the right thing to do for my constituents in Edinburgh and the Lothians, who I will always put first. Many of them will suffer considerably if we leave the EU without permanent membership of the Single Market and the Customs Union.
“The Scottish Parliament has sent out a strong message and I urge the UK Government to listen.”
Tory MSP Oliver Mundell accused the Lib Dems of having a "somewhat obsessive wish to hold another referendum".
He told MSPs: "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."
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “This adds to the many local authorities which have backed the campaign, including Glasgow City Council last week.
“The case is becoming irresistible for this final chance to stop the mess and cancel Brexit.
"Scottish Green Party members stand ready to campaign with our Green colleagues in the other nations of the UK, and with people across party lines for a People’s Vote.”
international research collaborations and reputation for scientific excellence from the threat of Brexit’, the Scottish Liberal Democrats moved an amendment for the parliament to provide ‘unequivocal support for a public vote on the final terms of the Brexit deal’.
The final amended motion was ultimately passed by 66 votes to 28, with 21 abstentions.
Labour MEP Catherine Stihler of pro-Remain group Best for Britain group said: “The Scottish Parliament has sent a clear message in support of a People’s Vote on the Brexit deal.
“This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Brexit, and the UK Government must listen.
“It’s disappointing that Scottish Labour MSPs were whipped to abstain, but I congratulate those who put their constituents first and voted for a people’s vote.
“There is growing support for a people’s vote in Scotland and right across the UK, and there is still time to prevent a hard Brexit that will decimate jobs and harm our economy.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel