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Sturgeon: UK could stay in single market Sturgeon: UK could stay in single market
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has argued it would be "democratically justifiable" for the whole of the UK to remain in the European single market after Brexit.Nicola Sturgeon has argued it would be "democratically justifiable" for the whole of the UK to remain in the European single market after Brexit.
But the Scottish first minister also said it would be possible for Scotland to remain in the free trade bloc even if the rest of the UK left.But the Scottish first minister also said it would be possible for Scotland to remain in the free trade bloc even if the rest of the UK left.
She was speaking as she unveiled proposals for Scotland's future relations with Europe after Brexit.She was speaking as she unveiled proposals for Scotland's future relations with Europe after Brexit.
The prime minister has pledged to look "very seriously" at the proposals.The prime minister has pledged to look "very seriously" at the proposals.
But the UK government has also warned that a special deal for Scotland is unrealistic.But the UK government has also warned that a special deal for Scotland is unrealistic.
In June's EU referendum, 62% of voters in Scotland backed remain, with 38% for leave.In June's EU referendum, 62% of voters in Scotland backed remain, with 38% for leave.
Ms Sturgeon set up a "standing council" of experts on Europe in the immediate aftermath of the vote, saying she wanted to examine all options open to her government - including the possibility of a second independence referendum.Ms Sturgeon set up a "standing council" of experts on Europe in the immediate aftermath of the vote, saying she wanted to examine all options open to her government - including the possibility of a second independence referendum.
The Scottish government proposals have now been published in full in a paper called Scotland's Place in Europe.The Scottish government proposals have now been published in full in a paper called Scotland's Place in Europe.
Unveiling the document at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said Brexit was a problem that was not of Scotland's making and called for a "flexible" approach that took into account the needs of different parts of the UK.Unveiling the document at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said Brexit was a problem that was not of Scotland's making and called for a "flexible" approach that took into account the needs of different parts of the UK.
She said the referendum result had been a vote on leaving the EU rather than a vote to leave the single market, and argued it would therefore be democratically justifiable for the whole of the UK to remain in the single market.She said the referendum result had been a vote on leaving the EU rather than a vote to leave the single market, and argued it would therefore be democratically justifiable for the whole of the UK to remain in the single market.
The Scottish government has proposed the UK as a whole should stay in the single market by remaining "a party to the European Economic Area Agreement" and staying in the customs union.The Scottish government has proposed the UK as a whole should stay in the single market by remaining "a party to the European Economic Area Agreement" and staying in the customs union.
Ms Sturgeon said: "I accept that there is a mandate in England and Wales to take the UK out of the EU. However, I do not accept that there is a mandate to take any part of the UK out of the single market.Ms Sturgeon said: "I accept that there is a mandate in England and Wales to take the UK out of the EU. However, I do not accept that there is a mandate to take any part of the UK out of the single market.
"It would make no economic sense whatsoever for the UK to leave the single market. It would be entirely democratically justifiable for the UK to remain within it.""It would make no economic sense whatsoever for the UK to leave the single market. It would be entirely democratically justifiable for the UK to remain within it."
'Hard border''Hard border'
The first minister said she accepted that it currently seemed likely that the UK as a whole would leave the single market "given the rhetoric of the Conservatives".The first minister said she accepted that it currently seemed likely that the UK as a whole would leave the single market "given the rhetoric of the Conservatives".
So she said the "second strand" of the paper proposes ways in which Scotland could stay in the single market - through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA) - even if the rest of the UK chooses to leave.So she said the "second strand" of the paper proposes ways in which Scotland could stay in the single market - through the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA) - even if the rest of the UK chooses to leave.
Ms Sturgeon insisted this option did not prioritise membership of the EU single market over continued free trade across the UK, but would "safeguard both".Ms Sturgeon insisted this option did not prioritise membership of the EU single market over continued free trade across the UK, but would "safeguard both".
She added: "Talk of a hard border for Scotland has always rung hollow from a UK government that says no such hard border will be required between a post-Brexit UK and the Republic of Ireland, a continuing member of the EU."She added: "Talk of a hard border for Scotland has always rung hollow from a UK government that says no such hard border will be required between a post-Brexit UK and the Republic of Ireland, a continuing member of the EU."
Ms Sturgeon also called for a fundamental review of the UK's devolution settlement, and said the UK government's response to her proposals would "tell us much, perhaps everything" about political power across the UK.Ms Sturgeon also called for a fundamental review of the UK's devolution settlement, and said the UK government's response to her proposals would "tell us much, perhaps everything" about political power across the UK.
She said powers over immigration were increasingly vital for the protection of Scotland's interests, and should be devolved to Holyrood as part of a substantial transfer of new powers after the country leaves the EU.She said powers over immigration were increasingly vital for the protection of Scotland's interests, and should be devolved to Holyrood as part of a substantial transfer of new powers after the country leaves the EU.
Key rights Independence referendum
This transfer would include powers returned from the EU which currently sit within Scottish Parliament responsibility - such as fishing, the environment, justice and agriculture. This transfer would include area returned from the EU which currently sit within Scottish Parliament responsibility - such as fishing, the environment, justice and agriculture.
It would also include areas which would allow Holyrood to protect key rights - for example, employment law and social protection. It would also include areas which would allow Holyrood to protect key rights - for example employment law and social protection.
Ms Sturgeon also stressed that a second independence referendum should remain on the table if it is felt to be the best option for mitigating the Brexit "risk", which she said could cost Scotland 80,000 jobs if it has to leave the single market. Ms Sturgeon also stressed that her preferred option of a second independence referendum should remain on the table if it is felt to be the best option for mitigating the Brexit "risk", which she said could cost Scotland 80,000 jobs if it has to leave the single market.
Her Brexit minister, Michael Russell, will update MSPs on the options paper from about 15:00 on Tuesday.Her Brexit minister, Michael Russell, will update MSPs on the options paper from about 15:00 on Tuesday.
The first minister said her proposals for protecting Scotland's place in Europe were a "serious and genuine attempt" to "unify the country around a clear plan" and represented a "significant compromise" on the part of the Scottish government. The first minister said her proposals for protecting Scotland's place in Europe were a "serious and genuine attempt" to "unify the country around a clear plan" and represented a "significant compromise" on the part of the Scottish government, given its commitment to seeking independence.
The first minister added: "I hope and expect that the UK government in considering these proposals will demonstrate the same flexibility and willingness to compromise."The first minister added: "I hope and expect that the UK government in considering these proposals will demonstrate the same flexibility and willingness to compromise."
Analysis by Philip Sim, BBC Scotland political reporter
Nicola Sturgeon's strategy has been to cast her administration as more or less the polar opposite of Theresa May's UK government.
While Mrs May refuses any "running commentary" on her Brexit priorities, Ms Sturgeon now has 50 pages of proposals set out in black and white - proudly noting that this was the first publication of its kind in any part of the UK in the six months since the Brexit vote.
The plan is to put pressure on the UK government as it prepares to trigger Article 50 next year, leaving the ball very much in the UK's court.
Are Ms Sturgeon's plans realistic? That will be the subject of much debate. She concedes some of the ideas put forward are challenging - but after all, she points out, isn't everything about the Brexit process?
As ever, the issue of independence is never far away - opponents say the SNP are setting impossible targets for the UK government, to provide an excuse for a second independence referendum when they are rebuffed.
But while the party's leader agrees that she will "never stop arguing for independence", she insists that her compromise Brexit plans have been put forward "in good faith".
Responding to the paper, A Downing Street spokesman said the government welcomed it and would "look closely" at it.Responding to the paper, A Downing Street spokesman said the government welcomed it and would "look closely" at it.
'Work together'
It is expected to be discussed in detail when the UK government and devolved administrations meet at the Joint Ministerial Committee in January.It is expected to be discussed in detail when the UK government and devolved administrations meet at the Joint Ministerial Committee in January.
But the spokesman made clear that Prime Minister Theresa May is determined to deliver a UK-wide Brexit and did not believe there should be a second referendum on Scottish independence.But the spokesman made clear that Prime Minister Theresa May is determined to deliver a UK-wide Brexit and did not believe there should be a second referendum on Scottish independence.
He added: "The government is committed to getting a deal on exiting the EU that works for all parts of the UK - which clearly includes Scotland - and works for the UK as a whole.He added: "The government is committed to getting a deal on exiting the EU that works for all parts of the UK - which clearly includes Scotland - and works for the UK as a whole.
"The best way for that to be achieved is for the government and devolved administrations to work together.""The best way for that to be achieved is for the government and devolved administrations to work together."
Earlier this month the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, appeared to rule out a special Brexit deal for Scotland during a visit to Edinburgh, saying it was "not realistic".Earlier this month the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, appeared to rule out a special Brexit deal for Scotland during a visit to Edinburgh, saying it was "not realistic".
He told reporters that it was "clear that we can't have a different deal or different outcomes for different parts of the UK", and added that it would be a "disadvantage" for Scotland to be outside whatever new relationship the UK negotiated with the EU.He told reporters that it was "clear that we can't have a different deal or different outcomes for different parts of the UK", and added that it would be a "disadvantage" for Scotland to be outside whatever new relationship the UK negotiated with the EU.
This echoed earlier comments from Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who told MSPs that while Scotland's concerns would be "right at the heart of the process", there would be no "special deal".This echoed earlier comments from Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who told MSPs that while Scotland's concerns would be "right at the heart of the process", there would be no "special deal".
Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives have claimed that any separate deal on the single market would "inevitably mean a hard border" between Scotland and England, which the party said would cost "thousands of Scottish jobs". Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives claimed that any separate deal on the single market would "inevitably mean a hard border" between Scotland and England, which the party said would cost "thousands of Scottish jobs".
And Scottish Labour has said it will oppose any attempts by the SNP to use Brexit as an excuse to "force another independence referendum on the people of Scotland". Scottish Labour said that, while it wants to retain access to the EU single market, the UK remains Scotland's most important market and repeated its call for Ms Sturgeon to rule out a second independence referendum.
The Scottish Greens called for guarantees over free movement, workers' rights and membership of the single market. The Scottish Greens said it was clear that the only way to guarantee Scotland's European future, defend workers' rights, environmental protections and freedom of movement was as an independent nation within the EU.
And the Liberal Democrats called on the SNP to "heal the division in the country" by keeping the issue of independence out of the paper, while calling for a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal. And the Liberal Democrats said the report was an "expensive exercise in Christmas window dressing as the only option the first minister really wants to succeed is Scottish independence."