Brexit is a Pig in a Poke

Imagine your boss sends you to a sealed-bids auction. Upon arrival you realise you have no idea how much money she wants you to spend, what she wants you to buy, or what the end game is. Obviously you'd put bids on every single item in the auction and hope for the best. Right?

That's the position into which the British public have put Theresa May. You go to that auction, Ms May! You buy that pig in a poke, whatever the cost! Hang on, you didn't buy the wrong pig in a poke, did you? Naughty Theresa!

The argument for invoking Article 50 soon is that negotiations cannot begin until it has been triggered.

But hang on... Are we really ready to begin negotiations?

Surely the first and most important rule in the art of negotiating is to know your own objective. What do you want? What will you accept? You don't go to that auction until you know which item you're there to buy, how badly you want it, and how much you're willing to pay.

So, what do we want? 

Please, do not say, 'out of the EU'. There are several different & contradictory flavours  of Brexit; each has its supporters. 

Some would say that access to the single market outweighs the desire for reduced immigration; others would say the reverse. Some would say we should sever all economic ties to the EU and go straight to WTO rules; others say that's economic and political suicide.

What we as a country need from our government now is for it to research and investigate several viable options. This does not mean negotiating with the EU. This is the pre-negotiation phase. This involves Ms May tasking Mr Davis and his ministry with putting together a short list of Brexit options. These should be presented as deals we think we could actually negotiate along with expert analysis on the implications (to education, employment, taxes, national politics, socioeconomic conditions in the UK, the global financial and political situation, etc.)

In simple terms, these options should include:

1. Something akin to the Norway or Switzerland model
2. Something along the lines of the Canada or Turkey model
3. Moving straight to WTO rules 
4. Remaining in the EU 

This short list must then be set before parliament for them to decide. Then and only then — when we know what we are negotiating for — will we be ready to trigger Article 50.

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Response from Nicola Sturgeon's office

Brilliant response from Nicola Sturgeon's office to my letter. Sounds like they just might be open to #MoreUnited after all. Well, here's hoping...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <CorrespondenceUnit@gov.scot>
Date: 1 August 2016 at 11:45
Subject: RE: Thanks and Pleas

Thank you for your correspondence following the EU Referendum.

Scotland has delivered a strong, unequivocal vote to remain in the EU with all local authority areas in Scotland voting to remain in the EU and the Scottish Government welcomes that outcome. The Scottish Government firmly believes that EU membership delivers many social, economic and cultural benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland. We also welcome those EU nationals who have chosen to make Scotland their home and who make an important and valuable contribution to our economy and society.

Given the support in Scotland for remaining in the European Union, the Scottish Government is exploring all options to secure Scotland's interests, and to protect its relationship with the EU and our place in the single market.

In ensuring we consider all options, the First Minister has said that independence has to be considered, however the starting point of our discussions is to protect our place in Europe.  Any decision on a further referendum will be for the Scottish Parliament to take having considered all the options for Scotland's future relationship with the EU.

The Government's approach has been supported by the Scottish Parliament and the First Minister has already begun discussions with the UK Government, other devolved administrations, EU institutions and other member states.

The Scottish Government has also made it clear to the UK Government that we should be consulted before the UK Government begins the process of seeking to negotiate a withdrawal from the EU, and that we should be fully and directly involved in any negotiations in order to ensure Scotland's interests are properly represented.

However it is important to be clear that at this time, the UK remains a member of the EU and the ability to trade with the EU, and the rights of EU citizens, remain unaffected at present.

If you would like any further information on the steps being taken by the Scottish Government to protect Scotland's  relationship with, and place in, the EU, you can find this online at www.gov.scot/Topics/International/Europe/eu-referendum

Thanks again for taking the time to get in touch.

 

Fiona Hyslop

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs

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