Brexit: Theresa May to urge Scottish and Welsh leaders to back deal

Prime Minister Theresa May, who is to urge leaders from the devolved administrations to "pull together" to back her Brexit deal in a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA WirePrime Minister Theresa May, who is to urge leaders from the devolved administrations to "pull together" to back her Brexit deal in a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Prime Minister Theresa May, who is to urge leaders from the devolved administrations to "pull together" to back her Brexit deal in a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday. Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Theresa May will urge leaders from the devolved administrations to 'pull together' to back her Brexit deal in a Downing Street meeting on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister is set to call on Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford - the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales - as well as representatives of the Northern Ireland Civil Service to listen to businesses and get behind her Withdrawal Agreement.

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Her message to back the deal comes after her Cabinet agreed to ramp up preparations for the UK crashing out of the European Union without an agreement, and Mrs May will also update the leaders on the contingency plans.

Ahead of the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (Plenary) on Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister said: “I am confident that what we have agreed delivers for the whole of the UK.

“This deal honours the result of the referendum - taking back control of our money, laws and borders, protecting jobs and livelihoods, and freeing the UK to strike new trade deals with countries around the world.

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“That’s why it is more important than ever that the devolved administrations get behind this deal and listen to businesses and industry bodies across all four nations who have been clear that it provides the certainty they need.

“From the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation and Diageo, to Airbus and Manufacturing NI, business and industry right across the UK want to us to deliver this deal as it gives them the clarity and stability they need to protect jobs and living standards.

“So my message is clear: now is the time for us to pull together and harness our efforts behind this deal and build a bright future for people all across the United Kingdom.”

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But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged the Prime Minister to “face up to reality”, saying jobs and living standards are “on the line”.

She said: “Postponing the vote in the House of Commons on her bad Brexit deal just means delaying defeat and wasting precious time.

“It would be unforgivable if Theresa May was trying to run down the clock to Brexit day.

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“She must immediately inform the EU that she will seek their approval for an extension of article 50 if MPs reject her deal in January.

“This will allow time for an alternative way forward to be found, preferably another referendum on EU membership

“With 100 days to go before the UK is due to leave the EU, the UK Government must stop threatening the disaster of No Deal, and start putting people’s jobs and living standards first.”