:00:22. > :00:28.Hello there, and a very warm welcome to the Garden Lobby here at Holyrood
:00:29. > :00:32.will stop a special programme for special circumstances. The world has
:00:33. > :00:37.changed radically since the boat on Thursday of Britain's exit from the
:00:38. > :00:42.European Union. Talks going on today at the European Parliament in
:00:43. > :00:46.Brussels, and a special session here of the Scottish parliament. We'll
:00:47. > :00:50.bring you a statement from the First Minister, setting out our response
:00:51. > :00:56.to that vote and her initial ideas in any detail can be put upon them
:00:57. > :01:00.to watch it proposes to do. To discuss that, I'm joined by David
:01:01. > :01:06.Torrance. David, options are pretty limited? They certainly are. In told
:01:07. > :01:10.the First Minister speaks to people in control, you choose and the
:01:11. > :01:15.picture will not become any clearer. There has been positive noise from
:01:16. > :01:19.the Belgium by and Irish politicians. That does not really
:01:20. > :01:23.matter. It is encouraging for the Scottish governments, until we hear
:01:24. > :01:29.from younger and his colleagues, the picture will not become any clearer.
:01:30. > :01:36.She is examining options, aren't those options feasible to form
:01:37. > :01:41.sureties with members states, not some of those states?
:01:42. > :01:44.The only tangible example that anyone has come up with is
:01:45. > :01:48.Greenland, the idea of Scotland doing a reverse Greenland. That only
:01:49. > :01:53.really works because Denmark is the member state and remains the member
:01:54. > :01:58.state. It is not really clear how that would work in reverse. However
:01:59. > :02:03.it remains that the European Union has a track record of being
:02:04. > :02:08.flexible. It is an expansionist organisation. Germany reunifying in
:02:09. > :02:11.1990 was not the script, but the EU found way.
:02:12. > :02:15.At the very least, Nicola Sturgeon is not on the verge of resigning,
:02:16. > :02:21.having resigned or becoming under pressure to resign. She is bringing
:02:22. > :02:25.a dose of stability, if that is feasible?
:02:26. > :02:28.The First Minister has played a blinder in those times since Friday,
:02:29. > :02:34.by appearing to have a plan and appearing to be in control, versus
:02:35. > :02:39.the Prime Minister, the leader of Labour and must everyone else. That
:02:40. > :02:44.is good, wholly beneficial to her negotiating position. I think
:02:45. > :02:46.Brussels will take the First Minister a lot more seriously than
:02:47. > :02:52.perhaps they took the Scottish Government to years ago.
:02:53. > :02:57.And we have Alyn Smith, MEP, in the European Parliament saying, we have
:02:58. > :03:01.not let you down, do not let us down in return. Is that the omission of
:03:02. > :03:09.the situation rather than the reality? -- the motion of the
:03:10. > :03:12.situation I did wonder about using the word demands, I demand that you
:03:13. > :03:19.must not let us down. That is fine, a good rhetorical
:03:20. > :03:25.flourish. But the reality is the formal line from member states.
:03:26. > :03:29.We go to the chamber shortly, but the situation at Westminster, Labour
:03:30. > :03:32.holding our most soon, evidence and the leader?
:03:33. > :03:36.It'll be interesting to how that pans out. More resignations of
:03:37. > :03:43.Shadow ministers today, a queer, concerted effort to remove Jeremy
:03:44. > :03:46.Corbyn. They have such a curious leadership process, it is not
:03:47. > :03:50.guaranteed that he will be gone by the end of the day.
:03:51. > :03:55.Is that response from the Labour Party dedicated up on the European
:03:56. > :03:59.referendum, or was coming anyway? It was coming anyway, and the
:04:00. > :04:02.spotted an opportunity. All eyes at Westminster are now focused on a
:04:03. > :04:03.possible general election by the end of the year.
:04:04. > :04:18.We now go to the chamber. Motion number 264.
:04:19. > :04:26.Formally moved. Nonmember has spoken against the motion,, are we all
:04:27. > :04:30.agreed? We are all agreed. The next item on business as a statement by
:04:31. > :04:33.the First Minister on the E U referendum. I call on the First
:04:34. > :04:37.Minister to say a few words will stop this is the first chance we had
:04:38. > :04:41.to come together since the monumental events of last week. The
:04:42. > :04:44.consequences of the EU referendum for Scotland are clearly complex and
:04:45. > :04:48.will take some time to fully marriage. I am determined that the
:04:49. > :04:53.parliament is determined to play a full role in this process, that we
:04:54. > :04:58.are able to be a voice and able to provide a platform for every boys in
:04:59. > :05:03.this debate, and to scrutinise the actions of the Government in this
:05:04. > :05:07.matter. I'm determined that the parliament is able to respond to
:05:08. > :05:10.events as they develop, and I had there for instructed the
:05:11. > :05:14.Parliamentary authorities that resources are available over the
:05:15. > :05:18.summer recess, if necessary, to support a recall of Parliament
:05:19. > :05:21.should I deem it necessary. I will remain in close contact with the
:05:22. > :05:25.party leaders and business managers to discuss this matter and to report
:05:26. > :05:31.back to Parliament regular on progress. I now call on the First
:05:32. > :05:35.Minister. Thank you very much, Presiding
:05:36. > :05:39.Officer. This is not a statement I wanted to make all stop the Scottish
:05:40. > :05:43.Government did not seek a referendum on our membership of the European
:05:44. > :05:49.Union, and we certainly did not want this result. While of course I'm
:05:50. > :05:53.respect the views of all those who voted, UK result leaves immediately
:05:54. > :05:56.disappointed and profoundly concerned. The Scottish Government
:05:57. > :06:01.continues to believe that membership of the European Union is in the best
:06:02. > :06:05.interests of Scotland, for our economy, society, culture and our
:06:06. > :06:10.place in world. And not just for Scotland, but also for the rest of
:06:11. > :06:13.the UK. That is why with the great majority of members of this
:06:14. > :06:18.Parliament, and with all the party leaders, I campaigned hard for a
:06:19. > :06:22.Remain results. I'm proud that Scotland voted to remain within the
:06:23. > :06:25.European Union, and we did so emphatically. It is important for
:06:26. > :06:28.all of us to reckon I is that some in Scotland did not vote to remain,
:06:29. > :06:35.but instead to leave the European Union. I want to make it clear as we
:06:36. > :06:38.move forward, I'm committed to listening to and understanding and
:06:39. > :06:42.addressing the concerns that they have. However, more than 70% of
:06:43. > :06:45.voters across Scotland, and a majority in every single one of our
:06:46. > :06:50.32 local authority areas said clearly that they want Scotland to
:06:51. > :06:53.stay in the EU. Scotland voted to stay inside the single market and to
:06:54. > :06:58.protect the jobs, investment and trade that depend on it. Which is to
:06:59. > :07:03.be an open, inclusive and outward looking society, where other EU
:07:04. > :07:06.citizens are welcome to live, work and contribute. We voted to protect
:07:07. > :07:11.the freedom and prosperity that comes with a right to travel, live,
:07:12. > :07:14.work and study in other European countries. We endorse the principal
:07:15. > :07:18.of independent countries working together to tackle global issues
:07:19. > :07:24.such as climate change, energy security and the fight against
:07:25. > :07:28.terrorism. Scotland spoke clearly for Remain, and I'm determined that
:07:29. > :07:33.Scotland's voice will be heard. We are now of course in uncharted
:07:34. > :07:36.territory. We face risk and uncertainty greater than perhaps at
:07:37. > :07:40.any time in the post-war period. We're already seeing some of the
:07:41. > :07:44.early consequences. There has been extraordinary volatility in currency
:07:45. > :07:48.and equity markets will stop and beyond the financial markets are
:07:49. > :07:51.suggestions that companies are considering relocating jobs and
:07:52. > :07:54.diverting investments, and that others are concerned about future
:07:55. > :07:58.access to skilled workers. The Chancellor at yesterday just as I
:07:59. > :08:03.wanted from hiding, though it was starting to feel like that - to tell
:08:04. > :08:07.us that the UK economy faces the future from a position of strength.
:08:08. > :08:16.Just hours later, the pound reached a 31-year low, and the UK's trouble
:08:17. > :08:19.a credit ratings downgraded. I hope very much that we will see the
:08:20. > :08:23.return of stability and some confidence. However I do feel that
:08:24. > :08:27.we are in the early days of this period of risk and uncertainty.
:08:28. > :08:32.These are times that call for principals, purpose and clarity - in
:08:33. > :08:36.short, for leadership. That is why the vacuum that has a most at
:08:37. > :08:40.Westminster is so unacceptable. Politicians or propose this
:08:41. > :08:43.referendum, no matter how brutally killed by the results, heavy duty
:08:44. > :08:48.now to step up to deal with consequences of its outcome. And
:08:49. > :08:54.those who campaigned by the the Leave vote must now be clear and
:08:55. > :08:59.honest about their plans to deliver. One thing I think is clear, there
:09:00. > :09:04.cannot be three months after it now while both the Government and main
:09:05. > :09:08.opposition parties at Westminster at themselves in interminable
:09:09. > :09:12.elections. That would compound the difficult alliteration that were
:09:13. > :09:18.already facing, and these even more damage to our economy. We've heard
:09:19. > :09:21.that, was incredibly, there was no plan for this outcome. It is my view
:09:22. > :09:26.that the UK Government must now get a grip on this. First to restore
:09:27. > :09:30.stability and confidence, then to set out its plan for the way
:09:31. > :09:34.forward. It must involve the Scottish Government in that work
:09:35. > :09:38.every step of the way. The Scottish Government is already hard at it. I
:09:39. > :09:43.have set three priorities for our work in the immediate term. First, I
:09:44. > :09:47.want to reassure those from other countries who have chosen to make
:09:48. > :09:51.Scotland their home that I made a commitment to them on the morning of
:09:52. > :09:54.the result and I want to repeat it here today - you are welcome in
:09:55. > :09:55.Scotland, this is your home and we value.
:09:56. > :10:09.APPLAUSE This commitment is all the more
:10:10. > :10:13.important in light of the reported racist attacks in the wake of last
:10:14. > :10:17.week's result. Let us as a parliament Unite today
:10:18. > :10:23.to make clear that Scotland is an open and welcoming country and that
:10:24. > :10:28.prejudice, hatred and racism will not be tolerated, now or at any
:10:29. > :10:31.time. The terms of the motion we debate this afternoon up for this
:10:32. > :10:36.whole chamber at the chance to send that message loudly and clearly. As
:10:37. > :10:42.Alasdair Allan, the most for Europe, stressed our commitment to use it
:10:43. > :10:48.since living in Scotland as he addressed earlier this week, and
:10:49. > :10:51.hopefully doing the week I will... Discuss how we provide for the
:10:52. > :10:56.reassurance in the weeks and months ahead. The Deputy First Minister is
:10:57. > :11:00.also taking steps to reassure you students, already is studying in
:11:01. > :11:11.Scotland, of their place in our academic committee. And I welcome
:11:12. > :11:18.the commitment of Aberdeen University to their students no
:11:19. > :11:22.matter what the UK does. I have consulted to provide as much clarity
:11:23. > :11:26.as we possibly can, and understand the concerns and perspectives of all
:11:27. > :11:31.those affected by this period of damaging uncertainty. We have made
:11:32. > :11:34.clear in this discussion is that Scotland makes a stable and
:11:35. > :11:38.attractive place for business and investment. Our ability to trade
:11:39. > :11:41.with EU countries continues unaffected by the result of the
:11:42. > :11:46.referendum, until the UK concludes any negotiations will stop it is my
:11:47. > :11:51.contention that we will secure continued access to the single
:11:52. > :11:54.market for Scotland. I summoned a resilient meeting within a few hours
:11:55. > :11:57.of the result being confirmed to review with ministerial colleagues
:11:58. > :12:02.the only impact and the Scottish Government's plans and response. The
:12:03. > :12:06.following Saturday aged a special meeting of the Scottish Cabinet. My
:12:07. > :12:08.colleagues reported on their immediate engagement across
:12:09. > :12:12.different sectors and communities in Scotland. That engagement continues
:12:13. > :12:17.to inform our planning and our response. Scotland is a good place
:12:18. > :12:22.to do business - let us be clear about that. But us also be clear
:12:23. > :12:26.about this. If the circumstances that the UK is now in, it Scotland
:12:27. > :12:31.does find a way to maintain a relationship with EU as I'm
:12:32. > :12:35.determined to do, then Scotland will become a more attractive place to be
:12:36. > :12:40.the Leave credit business. I want to make sure we like to those
:12:41. > :12:45.opportunities. I hope that this Parliament will listen and lead.
:12:46. > :12:50.That is what people expect of us, it is what we most continue to do. I
:12:51. > :12:56.turned out to our third and overriding priority - drew all of
:12:57. > :13:00.this, I am determined, utterly determined, to protect Scotland's
:13:01. > :13:07.relationship with and our place in the European Union. The formal
:13:08. > :13:10.process of the UK leading the EU does not start until the Prime
:13:11. > :13:14.Minister notifies the European Council in terms of article 50 of
:13:15. > :13:18.the Lisbon Treaty of our intention to withdraw. As the Prime Minister
:13:19. > :13:21.made clear on Friday morning, you does not intend to make that
:13:22. > :13:26.notification, it will be a matter for his successor. That means we're
:13:27. > :13:30.not yet at this stage of formal negotiations. It is vital however
:13:31. > :13:33.that we seize the chance we have been for these negotiations start to
:13:34. > :13:39.ensure that Scotland's voice is heard as widely as possible - in
:13:40. > :13:41.London, in Brussels, and by member state across Europe. The Prime
:13:42. > :13:44.Minister gave me a commitment on Friday morning to the cool
:13:45. > :13:48.engagement of the Scottish Government and to make sure all the
:13:49. > :13:53.interests of all part of the UK are protected and advanced. Today I seek
:13:54. > :13:57.the parliament's authority to hold the Prime Minister and his successor
:13:58. > :14:01.to that commitment. Did discuss the situation with the President of
:14:02. > :14:05.Ireland who will address the chamber tomorrow. I've also had a discussion
:14:06. > :14:12.earlier this morning with the Taoiseach. I am looking to talk to
:14:13. > :14:19.other heads of administrative as in these islands and I expect these
:14:20. > :14:23.committees may need again. I've spoken with the Mayor of London this
:14:24. > :14:26.morning and with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar with this year at
:14:27. > :14:31.interest we now have in protecting our relationship with Europe. The
:14:32. > :14:34.Government is directly in touch with the governments of other member
:14:35. > :14:38.states to make sure that they understand their citizens are
:14:39. > :14:41.welcome in Scotland and to maintain our strong relationship with Europe.
:14:42. > :14:44.We are also in touch with both the European Commission and the European
:14:45. > :14:48.Parliament in Brussels, responding with messages of encouragement and
:14:49. > :14:53.support for the work ahead of us will stop these contacts have again
:14:54. > :14:56.emphasised the overwhelming support for Scotland remaining within the
:14:57. > :14:58.European Union, and the commitment of the Scottish Government to
:14:59. > :15:03.protecting our relationship with Europe. These contacts, are, of
:15:04. > :15:09.course, just the start. Tomorrow I will make an initial visit to
:15:10. > :15:12.Brussels to set it Scotland's position and to represent interests
:15:13. > :15:15.to major groups of the European Parliament and the present of the
:15:16. > :15:29.I intend to set out Scotland past Mac position to the European Union.
:15:30. > :15:36.I am following up our contact with member states. We met the
:15:37. > :15:42.ambassadors of Slovakia, Germany and France to share our response to the
:15:43. > :15:45.result in our determination to protect Scotland's relationship with
:15:46. > :15:52.Europe. I believe we have made a good start. Our early priority has
:15:53. > :15:56.been to ensure there is a widespread but awareness across Europe of
:15:57. > :15:59.Scotland's different choice in the referendum and aspiration to stay in
:16:00. > :16:05.the European Union. We will intensify this work in the weeks and
:16:06. > :16:10.days ahead. It is my responsibility to ensure that Scotland's voices
:16:11. > :16:15.heard in Europe and I intend to do so. I have also been very clear that
:16:16. > :16:20.I want our work to be guided at every step of the way by expert
:16:21. > :16:27.advice and wide experience. We have got a great deal of work to do, both
:16:28. > :16:30.in government and indeed as Parliament to set out and evaluate
:16:31. > :16:34.all the impacts of the referendum result and all of the options open
:16:35. > :16:40.to Scotland to secure our relationship with the European
:16:41. > :16:44.union. I am establishing a standing Council of experts to advise me on
:16:45. > :16:51.my government how best to achieve EU objectives. Bill will be made by
:16:52. > :17:00.experts in finance, European and diplomatic mantillas and will
:17:01. > :17:05.involve a wealth of knowledge built up over years of experience. The
:17:06. > :17:09.council will consider the impact of proposed changes to the UK's
:17:10. > :17:16.relationship with the EU and advise Scottish administers on our way to
:17:17. > :17:23.best secure objectives. Members will be flexible to ensure we have access
:17:24. > :17:27.to appropriate advice as and when it is required. However, I can advise
:17:28. > :17:34.Parliament today that it will be chaired by Professor Anton Muskie
:17:35. > :17:39.telly and include amongst its members, the former judge of the
:17:40. > :17:50.European Court of Justice, Dean Marriot Leslie, former UK ambassador
:17:51. > :17:58.to Nato, the head of the diplomatic head... Charles Grant, director of
:17:59. > :18:05.the centre of European reform, David Martin, the Labour member of the
:18:06. > :18:08.European Parliament and Graeme Smith, general secretary of the TUC.
:18:09. > :18:14.I intend to publish the full list of initial members later today. I have
:18:15. > :18:20.set out to Parliament the action we have taken so far since the result
:18:21. > :18:26.of the referendum became clear. The motion we shall debate shortly
:18:27. > :18:29.invites the Parliament to give me and my government mandate to
:18:30. > :18:35.continue this work and to explore every option for retaining
:18:36. > :18:39.Scotland's relationship with the European Union. I very much hope it
:18:40. > :18:47.will attract support across chamber. The motion before us asks us to
:18:48. > :18:55.report back to the European committee and Parliament. I will
:18:56. > :19:00.keep our progress and I assure the chamber that we will return to
:19:01. > :19:06.Parliament to seek approval of any outcome to these discussions. I also
:19:07. > :19:08.believe that there is a role for key committees of the Scottish
:19:09. > :19:12.Parliament to contribute to this vital process and I will be very
:19:13. > :19:18.happy to discuss that with the European committee at the earliest
:19:19. > :19:23.of opportunity. Let me turn now finally to the matter of
:19:24. > :19:27.independence. I want to be clear to Parliament that while I believe that
:19:28. > :19:31.independence is the best option for Scotland, I do not think it will
:19:32. > :19:37.come as is a prize to anyone. It is not my starting point in these
:19:38. > :19:40.discussions. My starting point is to protect Scotland's interest and to
:19:41. > :19:45.protect her relationship with the EU. However I am in no doubt that
:19:46. > :19:51.there has been a very real material change to school and's circumstances
:19:52. > :19:53.brought about by last week's referendum result. There is no doubt
:19:54. > :19:57.that we are in a new and different place from last week. We were told
:19:58. > :20:03.that staying in the UK meant we could benefit from having guaranteed
:20:04. > :20:07.access to the EU. That was a driving factor in many people was my
:20:08. > :20:11.thoughts. That is no longer true. The country and the constitutional
:20:12. > :20:15.settlement that the people of Scotland voted for in 2014 is no
:20:16. > :20:20.longer a reality. Based on the very clear result in Scotland, if we were
:20:21. > :20:26.to be removed from the EU, it would be against the will of our people.
:20:27. > :20:29.That would be democratically unacceptable. It is for that reason
:20:30. > :20:35.I have said that everything must be on the table to protect her place in
:20:36. > :20:39.Europe, including a second referendum # independence referendum
:20:40. > :20:43.and to ensure that the option of holding a referendum is viable, we
:20:44. > :20:49.will prepare the legislation now. However, let me be clear about this.
:20:50. > :20:54.If the government does conclude that the best or the only way to protect
:20:55. > :20:59.Scotland's place in the EU is through a referendum on
:21:00. > :21:02.independence, we will return to Parliament with that judgment and
:21:03. > :21:06.then at that time, it will be for Parliament to decide. I am
:21:07. > :21:12.emphatically not asking Parliament to endorse that step today. A vote
:21:13. > :21:15.for this motion is not a vote for a referendum on independence. I hope
:21:16. > :21:18.that this clear commitment will remove any reason for the
:21:19. > :21:25.Conservatives not to back a motion today. It would be ironic and I
:21:26. > :21:27.think deeply regrettable if the party that has put us into this
:21:28. > :21:40.unfortunate position ended up as the only one standing in the way of
:21:41. > :21:42.efforts to resolve it. APPLAUSE. Voting to deny us the Parliament
:21:43. > :21:50.support for our discussions with EU institutions and member states to
:21:51. > :21:53.explore ways of delivering the outcome people fought at four would
:21:54. > :21:56.I think be to frustrate Scotland's interests. The situation we find
:21:57. > :22:02.ourselves in is not of our making. There is no easy path ahead and at
:22:03. > :22:07.this stage there are no guaranteed outcomes. But my job is to navigate
:22:08. > :22:12.the best possible path for Scotland, one that protects our interests and
:22:13. > :22:22.give effect to what the people of country faulted for, and that is
:22:23. > :22:25.what I am determined to do. As I do so, I promise I will be open and
:22:26. > :22:28.frank with Parliament and the people of Scotland about the challenges and
:22:29. > :22:30.upper duties we face. I hope we can move forward in a spirit of unity
:22:31. > :22:36.and national purpose. My final point today is this, while are gender on
:22:37. > :22:44.Europe is vital, we will not, must not allow it to distract us from the
:22:45. > :22:47.business of governing Scotland and delivering on the priorities I set
:22:48. > :22:53.out only a month ago. Later today the deputy private -- 's Minster
:22:54. > :23:02.will underline ways we will improve education. We will promote an
:23:03. > :23:05.inclusive and growing economy and reform public services. The
:23:06. > :23:08.situation with fees will not prevent us from making Scotland a better
:23:09. > :23:19.company for all the people that live here. To conclude, I am asking
:23:20. > :23:24.Parliament to recognise today the position that Scotland has been
:23:25. > :23:28.placed on by the referendum result. A position which is at odds with the
:23:29. > :23:32.will of the Scottish people. And I am asking Parliament is about the
:23:33. > :23:39.motion we bring forward today. Scotland has footed to remain in
:23:40. > :23:42.Europe and we must now take all the action necessary to ensure the will
:23:43. > :23:46.of the Scottish people is respected. So I am asking the chamber today to
:23:47. > :23:49.support the government in the challenge that lies ahead of us and
:23:50. > :23:54.for all of us to work together and to do our best to turn this moment
:23:55. > :24:00.of disappointment and regret into a new and promising beginning, based
:24:01. > :24:17.on our common values and our shared commitment to the people we serve.
:24:18. > :24:20.APPLAUSE. Can I thank the First Minister for a statement. Rather
:24:21. > :24:24.than take questions we will move to a full debate on the European
:24:25. > :24:32.referendum. Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary for culture to move the
:24:33. > :24:36.name of the First Minister. Can I also suggest that we allow the
:24:37. > :24:41.opening speakers for each party not to be interrupted for any
:24:42. > :24:48.interventions. I call on Ruth Davidson. I thank the First Minister
:24:49. > :24:51.for advance notice of her statement. Too often political events are
:24:52. > :24:55.described as seismic are earth-shattering, but in truth the
:24:56. > :25:02.tremors of politicians than people. Last week's referendum was not one
:25:03. > :25:06.of them. It is a defining moment in our country's story. It is deeply
:25:07. > :25:10.significant for all of us. I find myself reflecting at this time just
:25:11. > :25:15.seven days ago I was in final preparations for the BBC debate
:25:16. > :25:20.arguing for favour of the EU, because we were overplaying the
:25:21. > :25:24.impact of Brexit. A week is a long time in politics, it turned out the
:25:25. > :25:28.major constitutional decisions like on the EU and Scottish independence,
:25:29. > :25:33.do indeed have major economic consequences. So last week's
:25:34. > :25:37.decision was not one I supported. It was not the one that I campaign for
:25:38. > :25:43.and I am deeply disappointed by the result. But the first message I want
:25:44. > :25:48.to send today is the belief in our capacity to meet the challenges we
:25:49. > :25:54.face is not diminished one inch. Those challenges are great indeed.
:25:55. > :25:57.They are complex. There are questions about questions with more
:25:58. > :26:04.that have not been formulated, never mind and said. But we are nation
:26:05. > :26:07.with a fundamentally strong economy and educated workforce and a
:26:08. > :26:14.capacity to overcome those challenges we face, that I am
:26:15. > :26:18.certain. We are seeking to amend the government's motion today. Let me
:26:19. > :26:23.set out where we want to supported. First and foremost, let us unite in
:26:24. > :26:28.this Parliament and say to people across the European Union, you are
:26:29. > :26:31.welcome. You wanted, your contribution is recognised and this
:26:32. > :26:37.is your own. Too often I fear... APPLAUSE.
:26:38. > :26:41.Too often I fear the referendum debate was guilty of discussing the
:26:42. > :26:46.contribution of EU migrants to this country as some sort of necessary
:26:47. > :26:50.evil to fill in the gaps in our labour market. Let us say it loud
:26:51. > :26:54.and clear, that we don't just need your labour, we want your values,
:26:55. > :26:59.your brains, your culture and we want you. Let us also United in
:27:00. > :27:04.expressing disgust at the racist insults and attacks the EU residents
:27:05. > :27:09.are faces the days of the referendum. It is shaming to our
:27:10. > :27:11.country and it is not in our name. Second, the Scottish Conservatives
:27:12. > :27:17.today want to pledge support to the Scottish Government's engagement in
:27:18. > :27:23.the coming months as negotiations are taken forward. They cannot be
:27:24. > :27:28.overstated how important this new settlement will be for all of us. It
:27:29. > :27:31.will define a new arrangement for coming generations. It is vital we
:27:32. > :27:36.get it right. It is vital that all the voices are heard in putting that
:27:37. > :27:40.deal together. I want the First Minister of Scotland involved. I
:27:41. > :27:45.want the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland involved. And
:27:46. > :27:49.having stood alongside last week and taking on my conservative colleagues
:27:50. > :27:53.and argue for his city, I can absolutely say that I want the Mayor
:27:54. > :27:57.of London at the table too. I am pleased that the Prime Minister has
:27:58. > :28:01.made it clear he wants the devolved administrations to be involved. This
:28:02. > :28:08.is the correct way to progress. Our motion makes it clear that we want
:28:09. > :28:10.to protect and maximise Scotland's position within the European single
:28:11. > :28:16.market is. I will not pretend today that this will be easy. My
:28:17. > :28:20.scepticism is on record. But we now have a duty to those many people
:28:21. > :28:25.whose jobs rely on trade with EU member states to put scepticism to
:28:26. > :28:29.one side and to push for the best possible deal. In so doing we need
:28:30. > :28:34.to ask yourself some practical questions. Do we want Scotland to
:28:35. > :28:40.remain subject to EU law? Do we want powers over issues like farming in
:28:41. > :28:43.Brussels question work how do we protect the passport in rates of
:28:44. > :28:48.financial services industry? These are some of the practical tasks that
:28:49. > :28:54.lie ahead in the short and medium-term. But in that, I do not
:28:55. > :28:59.try today to brush aside the more fundamental consequences of last
:29:00. > :29:03.week's result. Consequences were as in Scotland have wider and deeper
:29:04. > :29:11.significance. As a amendment makes clear, Scotland's and Northern
:29:12. > :29:13.Ireland are to leave the European Union even though a majority did not
:29:14. > :29:23.want it. The First Minister was to explore what options remain for
:29:24. > :29:29.Scotland. We welcome the formation of a commission of experts. If the
:29:30. > :29:34.Scottish Government wants to explore Scotland's options within the United
:29:35. > :29:37.Kingdom then we can support her in that. It is after that stage that we
:29:38. > :29:41.have concerns in the Scottish Government's approach since the
:29:42. > :29:51.result. I cannot ignore the fact that since the results were
:29:52. > :29:54.announced, they have pushed Scottish independence first and centre. Or
:29:55. > :30:00.her announcement that she had instructed government officials to
:30:01. > :30:03.draw up the necessary legislation for a second referendum on
:30:04. > :30:11.independence. Nor can I ignore it when I hear the First Minister
:30:12. > :30:15.justifying this... I cannot ignore the SNP Westminster leader telling
:30:16. > :30:20.the House of Commons that in order to the a European country, an
:30:21. > :30:25.independence referendum may need to happen. I've heard today to see that
:30:26. > :30:29.the motion is nothing to do with independence. It feels to many
:30:30. > :30:30.across Scotland that the SNP is talking about nothing but
:30:31. > :30:41.independence The first ministers speaks of people
:30:42. > :30:47.in Scotland who are worried about the EU result. And I am instructed
:30:48. > :30:50.to date to speak to the many people in Scotland have contacted myself
:30:51. > :30:56.and my colleagues to say that the two are worried about a referendum
:30:57. > :31:00.on independence. And that is why we have included our opposition is this
:31:01. > :31:05.prospect in our amendment today. You do not dampen the shock waves caused
:31:06. > :31:09.by one referendum by lighting the fuse for another. Nor do you say
:31:10. > :31:14.that the economic impact caused by leaving one it union by leaving
:31:15. > :31:20.another whose value and trade far eclipses of the former. The
:31:21. > :31:24.arguments in favour of the UK in 2014 and not just based on the
:31:25. > :31:30.economic risk of independence as they were. It was also because I
:31:31. > :31:34.believed that we in Britain had more in common than which divides us.
:31:35. > :31:39.Does last week's vote test that notion? Yes, it does, and there is
:31:40. > :31:44.little point in pretending otherwise. It tested, but it does
:31:45. > :31:47.not break it. It does not break the continuing logic of our sharing
:31:48. > :31:51.power with the United Kingdom. It does not break the arguments in
:31:52. > :31:54.favour of our own single market, a market which is more important to
:31:55. > :32:00.Scotland's prosperity than the EU, not less. It is not break up a story
:32:01. > :32:03.that, despite the shock waves of the last few days around Europe. And the
:32:04. > :32:08.referendum last week does not tie around about we had a mere 21 months
:32:09. > :32:12.ago to remain part of the United Kingdom. I know many people are hurt
:32:13. > :32:19.by last week's result. Including many people have voted Note in 2014,
:32:20. > :32:24.I am one of them. But the results of this referendum are not as simple
:32:25. > :32:28.them and us, not when many people in our country voted to leave too. The
:32:29. > :32:33.lessons are more profound. Do we have or in common with the rest of
:32:34. > :32:41.the UK than divides us, yes we have far too much in common to leave. We
:32:42. > :32:45.have a frustration in a lack of access, and of barriers to social
:32:46. > :32:48.mobility, and a growing sense of insecurity among families who feel
:32:49. > :32:53.that the world is passing them by. These are the questions we must face
:32:54. > :32:57.up to as a country as we reflect on this debate. They affect all of us,
:32:58. > :33:01.no matter which part of the United Kingdom we're prom. These are the
:33:02. > :33:04.questions we must be answering, not repeating the same old arguments of
:33:05. > :33:09.the past. Residing officer, I think we can now all agree that
:33:10. > :33:13.referendums are bruising. And not just bruising on such matters of
:33:14. > :33:17.soup at the cans, they are winding to. I hope we find times to learn
:33:18. > :33:22.the right lessons, not the wrong ones, to emerge from society a
:33:23. > :33:24.better nation and a still United Kingdom. I move the amendment in my
:33:25. > :33:34.name. APPLAUSE
:33:35. > :33:39.Aiko Kezia Dugdale. Thank you Presiding Officer. We live
:33:40. > :33:42.in uncertain times. The social, political and economic order has
:33:43. > :33:46.been turned upside down. It will take many months and years for us to
:33:47. > :33:51.fully grasp the consequences. But we've already seen the collapse in
:33:52. > :33:55.the pound, the fall in the value of companies, businesses uncertain
:33:56. > :34:00.about future investment. Those whose jobs rely on our access to the EU
:34:01. > :34:04.single market worry what the future holds. Let me echo what others have
:34:05. > :34:09.said in their message to EU migrants living and working in Scotland -
:34:10. > :34:12.they contribute not just our economy, but also the society and
:34:13. > :34:17.culture that we have built together. So let me say to the 180,000 EU
:34:18. > :34:25.migrants at 11 Scotland under half of these benches, you are welcome.
:34:26. > :34:30.APPLAUSE -- on behalf of these ventures. 20%
:34:31. > :34:35.of them lived here in Edinburgh. The city at the great honour of
:34:36. > :34:39.representing in this Parliament. 74% of them voted to remain. One of the
:34:40. > :34:43.Highers results in the whole of the United Kingdom. I know there are
:34:44. > :34:47.people in this great city that, despite the support from their
:34:48. > :34:51.neighbours, now feel ill at ease. We both have built their lives here now
:34:52. > :34:57.feel unsettled and anxious. So whilst we fight for their rights and
:34:58. > :35:02.against the rise in racism, we must also continue to show them love and
:35:03. > :35:06.understanding. We must also understand, however, that there are
:35:07. > :35:14.a 1 million Scots who voted to lead the European Union. The league
:35:15. > :35:16.campaign contained some of the worst dog whistle races I have ever heard
:35:17. > :35:24.in my life. APPLAUSE
:35:25. > :35:28.-- dog whistle races. Dog whistles that turned to four corners whenever
:35:29. > :35:36.Nigel Farage spoke or unveiled a poster. But that does not make every
:35:37. > :35:41.Leave voter a xenophobe or a right winger. There are working-class
:35:42. > :35:44.communities here in Edinburgh and Glasgow, just as there are in
:35:45. > :35:52.Sunderland and Sheffield, who feel powerless and are angry at the
:35:53. > :35:56.establishment. I was at the Glasgow count, I sought boxes in the First
:35:57. > :36:01.Minister's own constituency split 50/50. Here in Edinburgh, and the
:36:02. > :36:07.seat that I sought to represent, the poorest communities in the area
:36:08. > :36:14.wanted out. As they did in Sighthill and elsewhere in the city. This
:36:15. > :36:18.result, even in Scotland, is not as straightforward as some have sought
:36:19. > :36:22.to pretend. All of us in this chamber have a duty to better
:36:23. > :36:29.understand that and to listen and to act upon what we hear. But we didn't
:36:30. > :36:35.vote in communities, constituencies or even as nations - we voted as one
:36:36. > :36:38.country - the United Kingdom. A country that we as Scots reaffirmed
:36:39. > :36:44.our commitment to just 18 months ago. Millions of Scots want to be
:36:45. > :36:49.part of both unions, and that is why it is so important that we gave the
:36:50. > :36:53.First Minister our support to do everything she can to secure its
:36:54. > :37:00.Scotland's plays in the European Union. Civilian party will support
:37:01. > :37:05.the Government's effort to do the best to mitigate the worst of
:37:06. > :37:10.Brexit, but also strengthen Scotland's ties with our allies. The
:37:11. > :37:16.priority must be securing the rights and jobs of workers. And all options
:37:17. > :37:19.for protecting Scotland's plays in this agor y bleidlais it must be
:37:20. > :37:27.explored, including a Federalist United Kingdom, which could see
:37:28. > :37:36.those member states of the UK achieve associated state satyrs.
:37:37. > :37:41.This support is not unconditional. This Parliament will soon go into
:37:42. > :37:46.recess and not return too months. Easterby said a week was a long time
:37:47. > :37:52.in politics - a day in British politics now feels like a lifetime.
:37:53. > :37:57.In that context, two months is an eternity. A recall of Parliament
:37:58. > :38:00.cannot be ruled out. So the First Minister may read this chamber with
:38:01. > :38:06.the faith of these ventures to speak to Europe in the best interests of
:38:07. > :38:13.securing Scotland's future in both the UK. But that faith can only be
:38:14. > :38:17.maintained by regular communication, involvement and briefings from
:38:18. > :38:22.Government to opposition parties. E faith maintained by a continued
:38:23. > :38:26.understanding that as First Minister, she travels to Europe with
:38:27. > :38:34.a duty to represent Scots that voted both Yes and Note. Scots voted for
:38:35. > :38:38.Remain and Leave. But that faith would be betrayed as, at any point,
:38:39. > :38:41.the First Minister tries to present our support for this motion as
:38:42. > :38:50.support for a second independence referendum. And on that basis, we
:38:51. > :38:53.cannot support the Tory amendments, because it removes support for the
:38:54. > :38:58.Government to speak to EU as shins and member states in regards to
:38:59. > :39:06.Scotland's future. The Tory motion also says this - the challenges of
:39:07. > :39:11.leading the EU are not addressed by leaving the UK, Scotland's own union
:39:12. > :39:14.of nations, biggest market and closest friends. So let me one Rick
:39:15. > :39:20.Davis in that she had better not there suggest that Labour's failure
:39:21. > :39:25.to back her motion is somehow a failure to back the United Kingdom.
:39:26. > :39:30.I struggled to put into words the anger I feel towards her party at
:39:31. > :39:33.the moment. And anger that has been building since David Cameron
:39:34. > :39:37.announced English votes for English laws within minutes of the Scottish
:39:38. > :39:44.independence referendum result. And anger that grew when her party set
:39:45. > :39:50.Scottish voters against English voters in a hugely divisive and
:39:51. > :39:55.disingenuous 2015 campaign. Anger at a party that forced this EU
:39:56. > :39:58.referendum on a country that did not want it, only to resolve an ego
:39:59. > :40:10.contest in the Tory party. APPLAUSE
:40:11. > :40:15.And a Tory campaign at last month's election that told the nation that
:40:16. > :40:19.all that mattered whether you were a unionist or a nationalised.
:40:20. > :40:24.A campaign that had no vision whatsoever for Scotland, and boil
:40:25. > :40:28.down to just two key messages. One, you can only trust the Tories to
:40:29. > :40:37.protect the union - how was I going now, Ruth? And two, the Tories would
:40:38. > :40:41.offer a strong opposition will stop and all they stand opposed to today
:40:42. > :40:46.is giving the First Minister some support to speak to EU institutions
:40:47. > :40:52.about our future. The Tories habit future of the United Kingdom in
:40:53. > :40:54.danger at every turn, and it's high time these shared their
:40:55. > :41:01.responsibility for that. APPLAUSE
:41:02. > :41:08.Presiding Officer, the priority of these ventures is to focus on jobs
:41:09. > :41:12.and the economy and make the best of a very bad situation. We will
:41:13. > :41:12.support the Government tonight to do just that.
:41:13. > :41:26.APPLAUSE I call Patrick Harvie.
:41:27. > :41:30.I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a debate which, like
:41:31. > :41:34.others, I wish we weren't having to have. I would like to thank the
:41:35. > :41:38.First Minister for the advance copy of her statement. I agree with the
:41:39. > :41:44.substance of it, and I appreciate the tone in which it was made. Can I
:41:45. > :41:47.also thank Mike own colleagues in the Scottish Green Party who went
:41:48. > :41:52.out and campaigned. They were tired and put their energy like all our
:41:53. > :41:58.party activists and campaigners, their energy, time and money into an
:41:59. > :42:01.election campaign after national elections just weeks previously. But
:42:02. > :42:07.the campaigns along with colleagues across the political spectrum and
:42:08. > :42:11.achieved a strong democratic mandate from the people of Scotland - we are
:42:12. > :42:16.European and we are staying at European. I want endorsed the First
:42:17. > :42:19.Minister's comments about immigration in particular. About
:42:20. > :42:22.respect for migrants who come here, have chosen to be part of our
:42:23. > :42:28.society, whether from the EU or other parts of the world, who are
:42:29. > :42:33.feeling excluded, feeling divided from our society as we speak. A
:42:34. > :42:39.German citizen spoke in a rally outside Parliament and our ago make
:42:40. > :42:42.this clear, the feeling of isolation that many people are being forced
:42:43. > :42:48.injury injure other recent weeks and months as unacceptable. There is
:42:49. > :42:52.legitimate anger at the use of political and media pandering to
:42:53. > :42:56.racism and xenophobia which has taken place in this country. And
:42:57. > :42:59.those you are responsible for that...
:43:00. > :43:07.APPLAUSE And those in politics in politics
:43:08. > :43:11.and the media there are a heavy responsibility for the scenes we
:43:12. > :43:13.have now seen. The far right and racist tendencies which have been
:43:14. > :43:18.cultivated join this campaign and given disturbing expression since
:43:19. > :43:23.the result must be opposed. The failure of the political mainstream
:43:24. > :43:27.- and I think Kezia Dugdale had a very sound point on this - the
:43:28. > :43:33.failure of the political mainstream to build an economy which works for
:43:34. > :43:38.the comment'd common good has left a huge amount of Killock billing angry
:43:39. > :43:41.and any knitted. Those feelings are justified, the Brexit debate has
:43:42. > :43:46.channelled them into the politics of division and hatred. But that home
:43:47. > :43:54.and gives risk giving momentum to far right campaigns across Europe.
:43:55. > :43:59.The leaves campaign with guilty of more explicitly cultivating this
:44:00. > :44:05.reaction. But both sides failed in my view to give a robust challenge
:44:06. > :44:10.to the idea that the right to free movement is somehow a burden. It is
:44:11. > :44:14.in fact a principle of huge importance and won the Greens will
:44:15. > :44:16.continue to defend. We will certainly be supporting the
:44:17. > :44:20.Government's motion tonight, and I want to make it clear that we will
:44:21. > :44:24.continue to advocate for the clear mandate that has been given by the
:44:25. > :44:28.people of Scotland, as advocated also by many of our European
:44:29. > :44:32.colleagues a number of different political parties. I would like to
:44:33. > :44:34.thank those in the European Greens today have helped us soften the
:44:35. > :44:38.language around an immediate triggering a Article 50, which would
:44:39. > :44:42.give no time for the serious consideration which is necessary, or
:44:43. > :44:45.the contribution that the Scottish Government is expected to make on
:44:46. > :44:47.all our behalf to the negotiation process. That process must be
:44:48. > :44:59.allowed time. All options must remain on the table
:45:00. > :45:13.to achieve that. This is a unique situation we are facing. It may be
:45:14. > :45:18.that after exploring all options, far more people than voted yes in
:45:19. > :45:24.2014 may conclude that independence is the only way to achieve it. We
:45:25. > :45:31.also have to contrast the clear assertion of Scotland's mandate with
:45:32. > :45:34.the utter chaos we see in the Leave camp and the fundamental dishonesty
:45:35. > :45:41.in their campaign. How many times will be told that their campaign was
:45:42. > :45:50.intended to take back control? Take a -- control of borders and money.
:45:51. > :45:52.Now they are all claiming we can stay in the single market. There is
:45:53. > :45:56.no search thing as a single market if you do not have free movement of
:45:57. > :46:02.labour. It is a fundamental aspect of the free market. It is clear that
:46:03. > :46:06.access to that single market will also include a financial
:46:07. > :46:14.contribution if it can even be negotiated. So this fundamental
:46:15. > :46:17.dishonesty of the claim that we can have the best of both worlds, taking
:46:18. > :46:25.only what we want and giving nothing back to a community of nations
:46:26. > :46:28.across Europe, is something that needs to be challenged. I am not in
:46:29. > :46:33.any surprise that we have heard shameless dishonesty, racism and
:46:34. > :46:36.dishonesty. We cannot allow that kind of rhetoric in that kind of
:46:37. > :46:41.language to become part of the Scottish political landscape. I
:46:42. > :46:47.would like to remain the chamber of something that Ruth Davidson once
:46:48. > :46:51.said when we were debating another close the Jewish and translation. --
:46:52. > :46:59.in session. They must have the trust of the people to safeguard national
:47:00. > :47:01.security, to safeguard the nation states economic security and to
:47:02. > :47:08.safeguard the nation's states political security by establishing
:47:09. > :47:10.its place in the world by membership of international organisations such
:47:11. > :47:15.as the European Union. So how is that going right now? The UK
:47:16. > :47:20.Government has demonstrated and has direct failure on all three counts,
:47:21. > :47:25.and historic failure to the people of this, to the people of this
:47:26. > :47:31.country, Scotland and to the wider United Kingdom. Ruth Davidson also
:47:32. > :47:37.argues that the 2014 result must be respected just as much as this
:47:38. > :47:42.year's referendum result. But the 2014 result is no fundamentally
:47:43. > :47:48.superseded. I would remind the chamber of comment from the Better
:47:49. > :47:53.Together campaign, the words of the Better Together campaign on the 2nd
:47:54. > :47:59.of September 2014, weeks before that referendum what is the process of
:48:00. > :48:05.removing our EU citizenship question mark footing yes. People who voted
:48:06. > :48:09.in 2014 did on a false prospectus, a false promise that their membership
:48:10. > :48:15.of the European Union would be protected in those circumstances and
:48:16. > :48:19.it has not been. I personally have spoken to people, strangers and
:48:20. > :48:24.friends across the political spectrum. I even do have friends who
:48:25. > :48:28.vote Tory who have told me they are ready to evaluate the No vote that
:48:29. > :48:35.the cast and 2014 and no one has the right to close that position down
:48:36. > :48:42.for people in Scotland. Presiding Officer, the Greens will continue to
:48:43. > :48:45.respect a man data voters in Scotland, given so clearly. It must
:48:46. > :48:49.ensure that all options remain on the table and on that basis we will
:48:50. > :48:53.support the actions the First Minister has set out in preparing
:48:54. > :48:57.the ground for a further independence referendum should it
:48:58. > :49:02.prove necessary and should it be the will of the people of Scotland. We
:49:03. > :49:04.will support the right of the Scottish Government to enter into
:49:05. > :49:08.the negotiations while respecting the need for them to return and
:49:09. > :49:13.secure a Parliamentary majority here every step of the way. We will
:49:14. > :49:17.continue to express respect for the people who've moved to Scotland and
:49:18. > :49:20.contribute to our society and continue to advocate that in
:49:21. > :49:24.whatever solution Scotland and the rest of the UK sees forward, free
:49:25. > :49:30.movement of people remains a fundamental principle and we will
:49:31. > :49:33.advocate the human rights, the social protection, the quality, the
:49:34. > :49:38.strong environmental and, the achievements hard one that the
:49:39. > :49:44.European Union has helped to achieve, that are worth defending
:49:45. > :49:50.and so directly under threat by the decision so recklessly taken a week
:49:51. > :49:59.ago. APPLAUSE. I call Willie Rennie. I have lost
:50:00. > :50:03.elections. I to my loss and Dunfermline in 2010 very hard and
:50:04. > :50:10.very personal. But no election defeat has made me feel like I felt
:50:11. > :50:17.in the early hours of February, of last Friday. It was a deep sense of
:50:18. > :50:23.loss. Loss of part of my soul, and what I believe to be the sole of
:50:24. > :50:30.this country. Outward looking, compassionate, tolerant, open,
:50:31. > :50:35.generous. These are the attributes I associate with my country. A country
:50:36. > :50:43.that does not walk on the other side of the road. And that is exactly
:50:44. > :50:47.what country did last Thursday. And they are the practical benefits to.
:50:48. > :50:52.Tackling crime with the European Arrest Warrant, that has gone.
:50:53. > :50:57.Cooperation on climate change, gone. A single market, gone. Improved
:50:58. > :51:03.social conditions, gone. All of these and so many others. They are
:51:04. > :51:09.just gone. We are already seeing the effect on the value of the pound,
:51:10. > :51:15.company shares, and credit ratings. I am angry that we have been
:51:16. > :51:19.recklessly led down this path. Angry that prices and shops will rise
:51:20. > :51:26.because of the higher cost of imports. That people saving in value
:51:27. > :51:33.-- falling in value. Job losses are on the cars. It is not Boris Johnson
:51:34. > :51:38.who will suffer. Michael Gove may lose some money, but he has stacks
:51:39. > :51:44.more to get by an Nigel Farage, he's simply does not care. It is ordinary
:51:45. > :51:52.people, on low and modest incomes who will lose. These are the victims
:51:53. > :51:58.of this crisis. I hope David Cameron is feeling guilty. He should feel
:51:59. > :52:03.guilty for imposing the divisions of his party on the country and that
:52:04. > :52:08.responsibility applies to every single conservative in this
:52:09. > :52:14.Parliament. Including Ruth Davidson. The economic chaos means the Tories
:52:15. > :52:20.can never again claim to be the defenders of the economy. And after
:52:21. > :52:23.the surge in the support for independence at the weekend, nor can
:52:24. > :52:28.the Tories claimed to be the defenders of the union. They sparked
:52:29. > :52:34.this economic and constitutional crisis. Ruth Davidson is not
:52:35. > :52:40.defender of the union, she is undermining it and no Tory amendment
:52:41. > :52:45.today can hide that truth. With every election loss, I have lived to
:52:46. > :52:50.fight another day. I am here today because I got off my knees to fight
:52:51. > :52:54.and win again. The United Kingdom's place in Europe will loathe to fight
:52:55. > :53:00.another day and I am determined to fight for it. My party will contest
:53:01. > :53:05.the next general election on a clear platform of supporting the United
:53:06. > :53:13.Kingdom was my place in Europe. 7000 new members have joined party to
:53:14. > :53:16.campaign with us to win that case. I want Scotland in the United Kingdom,
:53:17. > :53:22.and the United Kingdom in Europe. That is the best possible option. I
:53:23. > :53:28.will not settle for anything less. We do need to understand, however,
:53:29. > :53:34.why 1 million people in Scotland floated to leave the European Union.
:53:35. > :53:41.It is of little surprise that if you have a minimum wage job, as 0-hours
:53:42. > :53:44.contract with a damp house and a car that is failed its MOT, you may
:53:45. > :53:48.think you have nothing to lose. And you probably would not believe a
:53:49. > :53:54.well-heeled conservative Prime Minister who tells you that the
:53:55. > :54:01.status quo is best for you but the European Union was not responsible
:54:02. > :54:07.for all those problems. But the levers provided that easy target and
:54:08. > :54:09.David Cameron and Jeremy Chardy and wearing cable of making a compelling
:54:10. > :54:15.case for the European union. The First Minister knows that I oppose
:54:16. > :54:24.another independence referendum -- and Jeremy Corbyn were incapable.
:54:25. > :54:28.Today's motion does not in Dorset independence. The First Minister has
:54:29. > :54:32.made that clear. And in it additional words, beyond her
:54:33. > :54:37.statement, that was provided to us earlier, she said that was a
:54:38. > :54:41.vertically so. I welcome that, I think that is a welcome remark. I
:54:42. > :54:46.welcome the First Minister also reaching out to other parties to
:54:47. > :54:51.engage in the negotiation process. I immediately agreed on Friday to
:54:52. > :54:56.produce a date as long as it was not a cunning plan to deliver
:54:57. > :55:02.independence. I want to explore options, whether it is bizarrely
:55:03. > :55:09.named reverse Greenland, working with Northern Ireland, Gibraltar or
:55:10. > :55:13.some other arrangement. But we need to fully understand before we move
:55:14. > :55:18.ahead and rushing head up long into independence will undermine those
:55:19. > :55:25.efforts. There is so much we simply do not know. Making decisions we do
:55:26. > :55:31.not know should be one of the lessons from last week. In my
:55:32. > :55:36.constituency, of North East Fife, I have many thriving businesses. They
:55:37. > :55:41.are thriving in part through the hard graft of workers from across
:55:42. > :55:50.the continent. As well as those closer to home. Working together in
:55:51. > :55:56.harmony. Fishers laundry services, many firms, the many restaurants and
:55:57. > :56:02.beyond. They work hard. They make those as this is successful, they
:56:03. > :56:07.have married here, settled here, pay their taxes here, they are one of us
:56:08. > :56:12.and they will never stop being one of us. I know many who will be
:56:13. > :56:19.offended by the decision last week. But I want them to know that we are
:56:20. > :56:29.standing with them today. We are determined to recapture the soul of
:56:30. > :56:31.this country. So is once again outward looking, compassionate,
:56:32. > :56:47.tolerant, open and generous. Thank you. Willie Rennie, a passionate
:56:48. > :56:52.speech there. We heard from the other party leaders. We heard from
:56:53. > :56:58.the First Minister. There was passion and oratory from the other
:56:59. > :57:01.party leaders. Nicola Sturgeon catching the mood that she feels is
:57:02. > :57:06.perhaps one that needs to be addressed, setting it out fairly
:57:07. > :57:10.calmly and placidly as one can. And admitting as well there are no
:57:11. > :57:17.answers at this stage. She was prepared to examine all options.
:57:18. > :57:23.Before we came never the special programme in the special
:57:24. > :57:28.circumstances, I discussed the prospects of Scotland inside the EU
:57:29. > :57:37.or outside the EU. I asked that there was a deliberate thing that
:57:38. > :57:40.independence was not mentioned? The objective is for Scotland to stay in
:57:41. > :57:43.the European Union. We now have to discover the meaning is by which
:57:44. > :57:47.that objective can begin. None of those have been excluded. The First
:57:48. > :57:53.Minister said at the weekend it was likely that there was one possible
:57:54. > :57:57.social. There may be others, it is right that they are explored and it
:57:58. > :58:01.is right that starts now. We have to fired the starting gun, that process
:58:02. > :58:05.of meeting the objective, we have to stay in the EU. Today is not about
:58:06. > :58:12.independence, you do not seem convinced. Your party do not seem
:58:13. > :58:15.convinced, you have an amendment down to exclude a second
:58:16. > :58:25.independence referendum. Scotland did not vote to stay in the EU, it
:58:26. > :58:28.voted the UK should stay in the EU. We know that the Scottish Government
:58:29. > :58:36.position is that it should stay in the U -- European Union. That
:58:37. > :58:40.statement is meaningless, because Gotland has never been a member
:58:41. > :58:44.state of the European Union. What maintaining Scotland's position in
:58:45. > :58:48.the European Union is is something that will need to be teased out over
:58:49. > :58:54.the next weeks and months. You are itching to come back in here. When
:58:55. > :58:59.it talks about protecting our place in the single market and our
:59:00. > :59:02.position in the EU, that is things that many people can sign up to. For
:59:03. > :59:06.many people in Scotland, the proposition that the EU is a good
:59:07. > :59:13.thing and we should seek to mint in that. I have got to ask each of you,
:59:14. > :59:19.can you envision anything that can protect Scotland's place in the
:59:20. > :59:21.European market? We should explore what this ability is there might be.
:59:22. > :59:27.I listen to Lord Edwards speaking this morning about some things that
:59:28. > :59:30.he thought about from a constitutional view. There is talk
:59:31. > :59:35.about federated approach, and a unique position of Greenland, maybe
:59:36. > :59:37.a reverse version of that. There are things to explore. We should be
:59:38. > :59:48.united through that and consider those. Ross, what you think Scotland
:59:49. > :59:53.can achieved? I do not think it is any secret that I am in favour of
:59:54. > :59:57.independence, but that is every from the situation we find ourselves in.
:59:58. > :00:01.We need to come together cross and exhaust every option of benefits
:00:02. > :00:12.call and has as part of the European Union. We do not need independence
:00:13. > :00:16.to do that. If there weren't these options, the First Minister wouldn't
:00:17. > :00:17.waste breath exploring the. We know the First Minister was independence
:00:18. > :00:35.for Scotland. Very briefly.
:00:36. > :00:41.We don't yet know what leave the EU means yet. Ever leave means be in
:00:42. > :00:48.the EEA, having always tell deal, I do know that is what it's to be.
:00:49. > :00:51.The Tories have led us enter referendum where we don't know what
:00:52. > :00:54.the question means and we don't know what the answer means, so we don't
:00:55. > :01:00.know anything. What we do know is that if this goes to leaving the EU,
:01:01. > :01:05.for the UK, it means we're no longer European citizens. So let's look at
:01:06. > :01:08.our objectives. Our objectives are to remain within the EU, to the
:01:09. > :01:12.rights of European citizens. Can you remain within the EU without
:01:13. > :01:17.being a member state? We need to find that out. Up until
:01:18. > :01:22.now that answer has been no. This situation is not the same as
:01:23. > :01:25.Greenland. But there are other means, we will find out. It is not
:01:26. > :01:29.exclude anything the Tories are trying to do, they are trying to
:01:30. > :01:35.exclude. Letters also recognise we are in a
:01:36. > :01:39.fluid political position. When the Conservatives spokesman says we
:01:40. > :01:43.don't know what leave means, and the Government doesn't know what leave
:01:44. > :01:47.means, that tells me there are opportunities as well as risks, but
:01:48. > :01:51.we had to find out what those opportunities mean.
:01:52. > :01:57.Let me put it this way, the Labour Party is not in acre at Westminster,
:01:58. > :02:00.D except that are consequences to Labour's attitude towards the
:02:01. > :02:04.campaign? We are in a difficult position as
:02:05. > :02:09.the country as to the outcome of that vote. The issue that faces us
:02:10. > :02:13.as how do we go forward. There are opportunities here in Scotland as
:02:14. > :02:16.well as at the UK level, let us not overlook that. The fact that vote
:02:17. > :02:23.happened last week does not mean that everything else is settled.
:02:24. > :02:27.I think it is a shame that at a point of unprecedented chaos and
:02:28. > :02:30.uncertainty for the United Kingdom, the right-wing of the Labour Party
:02:31. > :02:34.have managed to make this a story about their internal party politics.
:02:35. > :02:39.You might want to make it a story about the Labour Party. I think the
:02:40. > :02:42.tragedy is that Ross comes in with that point, because that is missing
:02:43. > :02:49.the point. The point is can we achieve some union?
:02:50. > :02:52.We need to focus on objective, what is the object of?
:02:53. > :02:58.The objectives that Scotland does not read the EEA. That I don't stop,
:02:59. > :03:03.we don't stop, that you don't stop being a European citizen. It would
:03:04. > :03:07.be good this afternoon if we can unite that objective, go and look at
:03:08. > :03:11.the possibilities, and come back and elements of policies. Because I
:03:12. > :03:18.don't want to be left outside. I don't want to not be a since.
:03:19. > :03:21.Do you think it remains likely that those alternatives will prove futile
:03:22. > :03:24.and there will be a referendum on independence?
:03:25. > :03:28.I think it is likely that independence will be the choice that
:03:29. > :03:31.we have to make. But there may be other possibilities, so for the sake
:03:32. > :03:36.of others all working together, let's find out together.
:03:37. > :03:40.There is nothing inevitable about a second independence referendum, and
:03:41. > :03:42.even at there were a second independence referendum, there is
:03:43. > :03:46.nothing inevitable about the Nationalists winning it. Once it
:03:47. > :03:55.becomes understood what Scotland is being an independent member state of
:03:56. > :03:57.the year you start EU means, we have to find out what that means in
:03:58. > :04:03.Scotland. The responsibility for the crisis
:04:04. > :04:09.wherein lies with David Cameron. It lies of the people are voted in
:04:10. > :04:13.an open referendum. The choice he made the day after the
:04:14. > :04:18.Scottish Referendum to change the subject there is well. Suppository
:04:19. > :04:21.to lecture us about independence are changing the subject.
:04:22. > :04:27.Is your party tiptoeing towards agreeing to have a referendum debt
:04:28. > :04:29.is not necessarily agreeing to independence, but to have a
:04:30. > :04:32.referendum? I'm saying we should unite around a
:04:33. > :04:37.proposition that the Scottish Government should, on the of all of
:04:38. > :04:40.us, explore the options around maintaining the benefits with the
:04:41. > :04:45.European Union. That is all we're saying, the consequences of that
:04:46. > :04:49.will follow. No one outcome is guaranteed in the process.
:04:50. > :04:51.There are hundreds of people rallying outside today because they
:04:52. > :04:56.do not want European citizenship taken away from them. They do not
:04:57. > :05:02.want a list as workers or parents. Our responsibility, the responsible
:05:03. > :05:07.have every MSP, is doing sourced all the options available to us. If that
:05:08. > :05:10.is independence, so be it. You made the point of validly from
:05:11. > :05:15.your perspective that it is about the verdict of the British people.
:05:16. > :05:18.Was it nonetheless mistake by the Prime Minister .org is referendum,
:05:19. > :05:22.would you believe it was inevitable? I don't believe it was a mistake
:05:23. > :05:27.from what was and hold a referendum in 1975, nor do I believe it was a
:05:28. > :05:32.mistake for Alex Salmond to hold a referendum in 2014. This is not the
:05:33. > :05:35.outcome that any of us wanted, but where Democrats, we have to respect
:05:36. > :05:40.the result of what was a fair, legal and decisive rest.
:05:41. > :05:45.We are not in 1975 for 2014, politicians make choices. The
:05:46. > :05:49.choices made by the Tories were the wrong choices will stop the failure
:05:50. > :05:56.of David Cameron as colleagues to make a convincing case for Remain...
:05:57. > :05:57.You should be thinking about the failure of your own party to follow
:05:58. > :06:02.suit. From this consequences we find
:06:03. > :06:06.ourselves... When is your leader going to do the
:06:07. > :06:10.honourable thing? We should be working with other
:06:11. > :06:13.parties to secure as many of the benefits that we can.
:06:14. > :06:19.Final words, starting with Ross Greer, were to be go from here
:06:20. > :06:22.there's Lillis and either on the committee that is good to be looking
:06:23. > :06:26.at these options. We are going to be looking at every
:06:27. > :06:29.option to preserve the citizenship of the 5 million people here that
:06:30. > :06:33.hold it. The work of that European committee
:06:34. > :06:37.is going to be critical. What we need to see is the Scottish
:06:38. > :06:42.Government negotiating in good faith in the terms that were described up
:06:43. > :06:45.to now. Negotiating with the UK Government
:06:46. > :06:48.and the vault administrations and European Commission as with other
:06:49. > :06:54.governments and reporting back to the Scottish Government.
:06:55. > :06:59.Two things hold onto -1 that the Prime Minister is committed and all
:07:00. > :07:03.the devolved administrations will play a leading role in our
:07:04. > :07:07.negotiations with European Parliament. The First Minister is
:07:08. > :07:13.correct that we all need to explore all the options. Let's not rush to
:07:14. > :07:14.judgment and make fresh demands for new independence referendums.
:07:15. > :07:19.Letters explore all the options, there is a lot of confusion and
:07:20. > :07:24.uncertainty, there is no need to rush.
:07:25. > :07:27.We have to remain in the European Union, the rights of European
:07:28. > :07:30.citizens have to be retained by every person who lives in Scotland.
:07:31. > :07:33.We need to find the way to do that, and we need to start negotiation
:07:34. > :07:37.that with a mandate for a parliament. We do hope it's a
:07:38. > :07:42.unanimous mandate, it doesn't sound like that from the Tories, we rule
:07:43. > :07:48.nothing out. If we have to remain as an independent member, Soviet.
:07:49. > :07:56.That was then, this is now, I am joined by David Torrance. What did
:07:57. > :08:00.you make from the First Minister there?
:08:01. > :08:03.Nicola Sturgeon coming to Hollywood today to look for the mandate to
:08:04. > :08:07.talk to the devolved administrations, the UK Government
:08:08. > :08:10.and the EU institutions. She wants a this institution is herself and
:08:11. > :08:14.wants the backing of opposition parties here to do that. It looks
:08:15. > :08:18.like from what the opposition parties are saying, she's going to
:08:19. > :08:22.get there today, minus the Tories. It said the Tories will vote for the
:08:23. > :08:27.but as abstain at the end of the day. They were getting very
:08:28. > :08:33.passionate indeed, and we are all blaming the Tories.
:08:34. > :08:37.Kezia Dugdale channelling considerable anger at the
:08:38. > :08:41.Conservatives. The First Minister alluded to that as well, but it was
:08:42. > :08:44.pretty low-key. Wasn't that interesting, the First
:08:45. > :08:47.Minister was the one with the measured prospective?
:08:48. > :08:52.As ever, pitch perfect from the First Minister. To be fair, I also
:08:53. > :08:55.thought Ruth Davidson pitched the contrary case, the Unionist case
:08:56. > :09:02.against in independence referendum very well. Agreement on the
:09:03. > :09:06.substantive issue on talks with the First Minister, but with that caveat
:09:07. > :09:11.at the end. I thought you square the circle, and written in case you are
:09:12. > :09:15.both in difficult positions. It is based here and a different
:09:16. > :09:18.interpretation. If you are in the SNP are perhaps the Greens, you say
:09:19. > :09:23.there is a Scottish mandate. If you're in a party that advocates the
:09:24. > :09:26.union, easy it is a vote that counts.
:09:27. > :09:30.You can never square that circle? The interesting thing to note and
:09:31. > :09:33.Ruth Davidson's amendment is that Ruth Davidson does not want Nicola
:09:34. > :09:38.Sturgeon going off to Brussels and talking to those EU a suggestion
:09:39. > :09:41.separately from the UK Government. She wants the collective UK
:09:42. > :09:45.Government. Nicola Sturgeon was to get over there tomorrow and start
:09:46. > :09:50.talks already. And setting up the standing counsel of experts to
:09:51. > :09:55.promote Scotland's interests. Is any sound from this Asda where
:09:56. > :10:03.we're going? We're talking about maintaining Scotland's links, but
:10:04. > :10:05.there is an air of uncertainty. Is there any indication as to where we
:10:06. > :10:10.are going? I think it is early to say, because
:10:11. > :10:15.this is caught up in constitutional law. The wise and wherefores of the
:10:16. > :10:21.politics are whatever they might be, but also what the EU clause might
:10:22. > :10:23.be. Kezia Dugdale introducing the idea of a federalist structure
:10:24. > :10:27.within the UK which would allow certain parts of the UK to maintain
:10:28. > :10:31.EU Lancs. But I don't have that can work.
:10:32. > :10:38.Germany is federal-state, that parts of them aren't separate in the EU.
:10:39. > :10:45.I can think of a single federal country in the words which allows
:10:46. > :10:53.substate elements to enjoy supranational entities.
:10:54. > :10:57.You would need to start modifying EU regulations and rules to do that, it
:10:58. > :11:02.is hugely compensated. It has not been discussed now, but
:11:03. > :11:07.does an independent Scotland have to leave before it rejoins the EU? We
:11:08. > :11:09.had a debate two years ago, it has not gone away. There may be
:11:10. > :11:13.something the Scottish Government has to face.
:11:14. > :11:16.Let's talk independence were a bit. Is it possible that your
:11:17. > :11:19.institutions want exactly help to the independence case, at least some
:11:20. > :11:24.of them. There are commons made to the effect that they were supporting
:11:25. > :11:32.the member states say which was then the UK. Does this change things?
:11:33. > :11:37.It does change things, the context as everyone has commented has
:11:38. > :11:40.shifted fundamentally. Then the mind Brussels will be incredibly angry
:11:41. > :11:48.with the UK as a departing member state. If Nicola Sturgeon goes there
:11:49. > :11:52.tomorrow and says, we want to stay, it is very hard, I think, for the
:11:53. > :11:57.Brussels cheese to completely reject that out of hand, as they did two
:11:58. > :12:00.years ago. -- Brussels chiefs. Nevertheless, they may say we will
:12:01. > :12:03.look at this, come up with a new deal, but you have to leave before
:12:04. > :12:06.you rejoin. She said it is not about
:12:07. > :12:11.independence today, but she is keeping it on the table?
:12:12. > :12:15.She is saying that independence is not the starting point - keep racer,
:12:16. > :12:19.starting point of - for these negotiations with Brussels. But she
:12:20. > :12:24.is saying that you will come back here and put an independence
:12:25. > :12:26.referendum on the table to Parliament as it emerges as the best
:12:27. > :12:32.and only way... If the other options are exhausted.
:12:33. > :12:36.A lot of experts are telling us that the independence referendum is
:12:37. > :12:39.probably only realistic proposition for Scotland maintaining its place
:12:40. > :12:41.in the EU. The First Minister said it was
:12:42. > :12:46.highly likely? I think there is a bit attention
:12:47. > :12:51.saying we are exploring every option while seeing that the independence
:12:52. > :12:55.referendum is the only option. I think there is inconsistency there.
:12:56. > :12:59.Nevertheless, the boards in the First Minister's court and she is
:13:00. > :13:03.planning it very well at the moment. What is you take away over where are
:13:04. > :13:08.we going? I think she is heading over to
:13:09. > :13:13.Brussels and will open up these negotiations very much with her eye
:13:14. > :13:17.on Scotland's mentorship of the EU before the UK leads will stop do
:13:18. > :13:21.think we're heading for an independence referendum?
:13:22. > :13:24.I think it is described as highly likely. I think the First Minister
:13:25. > :13:30.has flown the kite will find it difficult to pull down again.
:13:31. > :13:34.With the party, she has created a general expectation that only will
:13:35. > :13:37.Scotland's membership of the single market be maintained, but there will
:13:38. > :13:43.be another referendum. Thank you for joining us and thank
:13:44. > :13:46.you for watching there. A difficult one today, special circumstances and
:13:47. > :13:49.a special programme. I hope we brought you a flavour of the
:13:50. > :14:00.statements from the chamber. From me, good afternoon.
:14:01. > :14:20.And did I mention he wrote some books, too?
:14:21. > :14:23.A life as fantastic his tallest tales.
:14:24. > :14:26.Delight in the marvellous world of Roald Dahl.