This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36383590

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
EU referendum debate: Key party speakers united in favour of membership EU referendum debate: Key party speakers united in favour of membership
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish Parliament is to formally back the case for the UK remaining in the European Union.The Scottish Parliament is to formally back the case for the UK remaining in the European Union.
A debate in the Holyrood chamber saw leaders from all five parties speak in favour of Remain.A debate in the Holyrood chamber saw leaders from all five parties speak in favour of Remain.
Ministers said they wanted to send a "clear, unequivocal" message of the parliament's support for EU membership ahead of the referendum on 23 June.Ministers said they wanted to send a "clear, unequivocal" message of the parliament's support for EU membership ahead of the referendum on 23 June.
But there were a small number of dissenting voices from the Conservative and Labour ranks.But there were a small number of dissenting voices from the Conservative and Labour ranks.
Members will vote on a motion backing EU membership at 17:00, with a hefty majority expected in favour of a Remain vote.Members will vote on a motion backing EU membership at 17:00, with a hefty majority expected in favour of a Remain vote.
Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs, argued that 300,000 Scottish jobs are dependent upon exports to the EU. Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for External Affairs, argued that 300,000 Scottish jobs were dependent upon exports to the EU.
She called on the Leave campaign to "cease their smears, speculation and downright ludicrous arguments", and told the Remain campaign that "their incredible Project Fear tactics" could alienate voters.She called on the Leave campaign to "cease their smears, speculation and downright ludicrous arguments", and told the Remain campaign that "their incredible Project Fear tactics" could alienate voters.
She said: "The EU is not perfect but it is a remarkable achievement that in over 6 decades it has secured cooperation over conflict, pursued a shared a sense of collaboration, exchange and purposeful endeavour to work in concert not just to advance the interests of its own members but the world on a global scale. Ms Hyslop said: "The EU is not perfect but it is a remarkable achievement that in over six decades it has secured cooperation over conflict, pursued a shared sense of collaboration, exchange and purposeful endeavour to work in concert not just to advance the interests of its own members but the world on a global scale.
"It is on that positive basis the Scottish Government is of the view Scotland as part of the UK should remain in the EU." "It is on that positive basis the Scottish government is of the view Scotland as part of the UK should remain in the EU."
Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also made a passionate argument in favour of a Remain vote, saying there is "something beautiful about being part of this European family".Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also made a passionate argument in favour of a Remain vote, saying there is "something beautiful about being part of this European family".
She also warned against the danger of "populist" arguments, but said "we are more secure in bigger alliances than standing alone."She also warned against the danger of "populist" arguments, but said "we are more secure in bigger alliances than standing alone."
A number of new MSPs used their first Holyrood speeches to advocate staying in the EU, including new Green member Ross Greer and Tory Adam Tomkins.A number of new MSPs used their first Holyrood speeches to advocate staying in the EU, including new Green member Ross Greer and Tory Adam Tomkins.
'Unsustainable pressure''Unsustainable pressure'
Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell was the first to make the case for those arguing that the UK should leave the EU.Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell was the first to make the case for those arguing that the UK should leave the EU.
She said Scotland has "four tiers of government", arguing that people know little about their EU representatives - and "couldn't care less" about it.She said Scotland has "four tiers of government", arguing that people know little about their EU representatives - and "couldn't care less" about it.
Describing it as "an out-dated and failing institution", she said the EU would still look to trade with the UK in the event of a Brexit. She also said the Common Agricultural Policy "short changes" Scottish farmers.Describing it as "an out-dated and failing institution", she said the EU would still look to trade with the UK in the event of a Brexit. She also said the Common Agricultural Policy "short changes" Scottish farmers.
Ms Mitchell argued that EU membership and the free movement of people could also put "unsustainable pressure" on public services and the benefits system.Ms Mitchell argued that EU membership and the free movement of people could also put "unsustainable pressure" on public services and the benefits system.
She said nobody could predict what the future would bring regardless of the outcome of the referendum, but argued that the UK has the talent to prosper outside of the EU. She said nobody could predict what the future would bring regardless of the outcome of the referendum, but argued that the UK had the talent to prosper outside of the EU.
It is thought Ms Mitchell's fellow Tory MSP Graham Simpson and Labour's Elaine Smith will also be called to argue that Britain would do better outside the European Union. Ms Mitchell's fellow Tory MSP Graham Simpson and Labour's Elaine Smith all argued that Britain would do better outside the European Union.
Leave supporters have previously argued that Brexit would lead to a raft of powers being returned to the Scottish Parliament from Brussels, including over fishing and agriculture. Mr Simpson said the small number of MSPs backing Brexit meant Holyrood was "not reflective of Scotland at large", although he claimed that there could be at least one SNP member secretly planning to vote no, even if they were "not allowed to say so".
Later on Thursday, former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will be among the panellists on a BBC TV debate on the EU referendum. Meanwhile, Ms Smith put forward a left-wing, socialist case for leaving the EU, arguing that the union was an "undemocratic superstate" with an "unelected bureaucracy at its core".
Later on Thursday, former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will be among the panellists on a BBC TV debate about the EU referendum.
Mr Salmond will put the case for Remain alongside Labour's Alan Johnson, with Liam Fox of the Conservatives and UKIP's Diane James arguing on behalf of Leave.Mr Salmond will put the case for Remain alongside Labour's Alan Johnson, with Liam Fox of the Conservatives and UKIP's Diane James arguing on behalf of Leave.
The How Should Vote? debate, which is to be filmed in Glasgow before an audience of under-30s from across the UK, will be presented by Victoria Derbyshire. The "How Should Vote?" debate, being hosted in Glasgow before an audience of under-30s from across the UK, will be presented by broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire.
It will be broadcast on BBC One between 20:00 and 21:00, and will also be available on the BBC iPlayer. It will be aired on BBC One between 20:00 and 21:00, and will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
Ahead of the EU debate, BBC Scotland asked Holyrood's MSPs where they stood on membership. Just 46 out of 129 responded.Ahead of the EU debate, BBC Scotland asked Holyrood's MSPs where they stood on membership. Just 46 out of 129 responded.
RemainRemain
Conservatives - Ruth Davidson, Miles Briggs, Peter Chapman, Jackson Carlaw, John Lamont, Alex Johnstone, Rachael Hamilton, Elizabeth Smith, Donald Cameron, Adam Tomkins, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle, Finlay Carson and Annie Wells.Conservatives - Ruth Davidson, Miles Briggs, Peter Chapman, Jackson Carlaw, John Lamont, Alex Johnstone, Rachael Hamilton, Elizabeth Smith, Donald Cameron, Adam Tomkins, Douglas Ross, Brian Whittle, Finlay Carson and Annie Wells.
SNP - Alisdair Allan, Linda Fabiani, Bill Kidd, John Mason, John Swinney, Stewart Stevenson, Ivan McKee and Richard Lyle.SNP - Alisdair Allan, Linda Fabiani, Bill Kidd, John Mason, John Swinney, Stewart Stevenson, Ivan McKee and Richard Lyle.
Labour - Claire Baker, Iain Gray, Colin Smyth, Alex Rowley, Jenny Marra, Rhoda Grant, Monica Lennon, Richard Leonard, James Kelly, Claudia Beamish and Daniel JohnsonLabour - Claire Baker, Iain Gray, Colin Smyth, Alex Rowley, Jenny Marra, Rhoda Grant, Monica Lennon, Richard Leonard, James Kelly, Claudia Beamish and Daniel Johnson
Lib Dems - Alex Cole Hamilton, Willie Rennie, Mike Rumbles and Liam McArthurLib Dems - Alex Cole Hamilton, Willie Rennie, Mike Rumbles and Liam McArthur
Greens - Ross Greer, John Finnie, Andy Wightman and Mark RuskellGreens - Ross Greer, John Finnie, Andy Wightman and Mark Ruskell
LeaveLeave
Conservatives - Graham Simpson, Ross Thomson and Alexander StewartConservatives - Graham Simpson, Ross Thomson and Alexander Stewart
UndecidedUndecided
Conservative - Liam KerrConservative - Liam Kerr
Labour - Neil FindlayLabour - Neil Findlay