27 Apr 2017

Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of “treating the electorate like fools” after failing to clarify her party’s position on fishing and the EU.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson challenged the First Minister after splits emerged within the SNP over the controversial Common Fisheries Policy.

At the weekend, Angus Robertson said the party wanted to stay in the EU and, as a consequence, the CFP.

But days later, two SNP MPs signed a pledge describing Brexit as a “sea of opportunity”, promising to ensure Scotland – independent or not – would never be returned to the CFP.

However, at First Minister’s Questions today, Ms Sturgeon failed to clarify the party’s position on the CFP, or whether or not full EU membership would be in the SNP’s General Election manifesto.

Ruth also challenged the SNP leader on why she said this upcoming election has nothing to do with separation, a claim directly contradicted by her predecessor Alex Salmond on radio yesterday.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:

“Nicola Sturgeon is treating the electorate like fools.

“She thinks she can face both ways on fishing, the EU and independence, promising all things to all people.

“But Scotland’s fishing communities can see straight through this approach, and won’t forgive the SNP for trying to ignore the EU referendum and force them back into the hated CFP.

“The Scottish Conservatives are clear – Brexit means being out of the CFP for good.

“In addition, no-one believes her when she says this upcoming referendum has nothing to do with independence, even before Alex Salmond confirmed this as a lie.

“The SNP’s position on both is nothing short of absurd.”

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Angus Robertson’s appearance on Sunday Politics Scotland at link below. He is asked about EU membership and the Common Fisheries Policy at 48.21:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08mh836/sunday-politics-scotland-23042017

The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation issued a challenge to all UK election candidates yesterday to sign its pledge to exit the EU and the CFP:
http://www.sff.co.uk/industry-challenges-election-candidates-sign-brexit-pledge/

Eilidh Whiteford and Mike Weir both signed the pledge yesterday:
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/business/1229521/snp-mps-accused-of-hypocrisy-for-signing-fishing-pledge/