4 Dec 2018
The Scotch Whisky Association, one of the country’s most influential industry bodies, has thrown its weight behind Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
The organisation said the text “stands up well against the Scotch Whisky industry’s Brexit priorities” and warned against the chaos of a no-deal scenario.
It’s the latest major business group to give support to the deal, which will be voted on by MPs next week.
The SWA stated: “On balance, the draft Withdrawal Agreement and accompanying Political Declaration on the Future UK-EU Relationship stand up well against the Scotch Whisky Industry’s Brexit priorities. The SWA therefore supports approval of the two negotiated texts by the UK and European Parliaments. If the deal is rejected, this will create considerable uncertainty for the industry and greatly increase the potential of a no-deal Brexit in March 2019.”
It comes a day after leading businessman and oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood also gave his backing to the deal.
Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said:
“This is another major player in the Scottish economy backing Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
“We now have senior representatives from Scotland’s most important industries – whisky, oil, farming and fishing, among others – saying this now has to happen.
“MPs voting on this now need to consider what’s important here, and who is worth listening to.
“And as for the SNP and Labour, if they troop through the lobby in attempt to force a no-deal scenario, the people of Scotland will simply not forgive them.
“This deal honours the vote of 2016, and means we can leave the EU in an orderly manner without sparking the chaos and misery a no-deal would likely bring.”
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