WGPlus (Archive)

Editorial Comment:  A conundrum for ‘devolved’ Brexit

As the UK Supreme Court decides just who can push the button on Article 50 one of the oddities that has been thrown up is that while ScotGov claims that because a majority of people voted to ‘remain’ in Scotland in the June referendum, they have a mandate to ‘keep’ Scotland in the Single market / EU.

Meanwhile in Wales, where a majority of voters in Wales chose to leave the EU, the WAG also seems to be claiming that they have a mandate to ‘keep’ Wales in the Single market / EU.

One thing both Wales & Scotland should bear in mind is that ‘English’ taxes are what is used to pay for the UK’s EU contribution and neither of them could afford the ‘membership fee’ on their own.  In fact, what that snatched photo of Meeting Minutes outside No.9 Downing the other week was probably referring to was the apparent desire for ScotGov and WAG to continue to ‘have their cake (EU structural funds) and eat it (the Barnett formula)’!
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