SNP must say if it will sign Brexit fishing pledge

30 Apr 2017

SNP MPs have been challenged to say whether they will sign the “Brexit pledge” on fisheries – after the party’s “hypocrisy” on the vital issue was exposed again today.

It comes after two of their MPs – Eilidh Whiteford and Mike Weir – signed a Scottish Fishermen’s Federation pledge declaring Brexit offered a “sea of opportunity” to fishermen last week.

The matter was raised on today’s Sunday Politics Scotland. It emerged that Ms Whiteford and Mr Weir refused to accept invitations to appear on the programme to explain their stance.

Scottish Conservative MSP and Aberdeen South candidate Ross Thompson said:

“The SNP is trying to perpetrate a con here.

“It wants to send powers over fishing straight back to Brussels – at the same time as telling fishing communities it wants powers to come here. Everyone can see right through them.

“The question now for every SNP candidate at this election is whether they will sign the pledge saying that Brexit offers a ‘sea of opportunity’ to fishing. If they don’t, we’ll know they are guilty of complete hypocrisy.”

Moray candidate Douglas Ross has challenged his opponents Angus Robertson to sign the Brexit pledge. 

It comes after Mr Robertson told the Sunday Politics last week that he supported membership of the Common Fisheries Policy.

“Angus Robertson failed to answer a simple question on TV last week.

“Asked if the SNP would take an independent Scotland back into the CFP he didn’t want to give the game away until the presenter pressed on the fourth occasion and Angus accepted his party would take Scotland straight back into the CFP, something that convinced many people in fishing towns and village across Moray to vote leave last June.

“While Angus may find answering questions on this issue difficult, I hope signing the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation pledge will be easier for him.

“I’ve done it and now I am asking Angus Robertson to do the same.”