By Lucy Caulkett-
The Scottish government is to go to the Supreme Court to block Brexit, following the high court’s judgment preventing the triggering of Article 50 by the UK
The High Court ruled last week that MPs must vote on whether the UK can start the process of leaving the EU. After the UK government UK government vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court next month, the Lord Advocate, Scotland’s most senior law officer has applied to be heard in the case.
With the news of the high court ruling, the Scottish government is equally trying to block Brexit by adding her own weight to the legal arguments.
The Scottish government already had legal representatives observing the case, and is now planning to directly become involved in this bitter dispute. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said she believed Scotland should be treated as an “equal partner” in the United Kingdom. She added that ‘’the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national Parliament cannot be brushed aside if they do matter.
Scottish Government
If the Supreme Court rules in favour of the Scottish government, it will mean that the triggering of Article 50 would require an extra vote in the Scottish Parliament too, blowing any chances of Article 50 being triggered, and Brexit being blocked. Ms Sturgeon is due to unveil proposals for a “flexible Brexit” – which would see Scotland remain in the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves. Sturgeon strongly believes that Brexit will harm the business interests of the Scottish people and the Scottish government will do all it can to block Brexit
The Lord Advocate will argue on behalf of the Scottish government that the consent of the Scottish Parliament should also be sought before Article 50 is triggered. If the Supreme Court grants the request of the Scottish government, it will effectively block Brexit since Nicola Sturgeon believes Brexit will harm the business interests of the Scottish people.
Nicola Sturgeon stressed that she was not attempting to veto the process of England and Wales leaving the EU, but that the “democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside as if they do not matter”.
However, her intervention may also mean that the wishes of those who voted Brexit in the UK will be brushed aside if the Supreme Court grant’s her wishes.Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU by a ratio of 62% to 38% in sharp contrast with the close 52% to 48% vote in the UK. Scotland will do all it can to block Brexit. The issues of the Scottish government are clear, but is would appear to be unfair if the UK government is facing both Remain campaigners and the Scottish government. It will not be a case on consulting Mp’s on voting, but really to block Brexit, which will effectively brush aside the wishes of those who voted to remain.