Nicola Sturgeon responds to Theresa May speech, saying Hard Brexit plan is ‘bizarre’

NICOLA STURGEON has responded to Theresa May’s Brexit speech at London’s Mansion House.

The Prime Minister set out her vision for the UK’s future economic relationship with the European Union.

Mrs May detailed five ‘foundations’ that would underpin the new relationship, and said her message to Brussels was:

“We know what we want. We understand your principles. We have a shared interest in getting this right. Let’s get on with it.”

Theresa May’s Brexit speech: Key points

In a response, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The Prime Minister seemed to spend a lot of her speech setting out the benefits of EU membership and close EU co-operation, making her determination to pursue a Hard Brexit seem all the more bizarre.”

Sturgeon added that although May acknowledged some of the contradictions in her government’s position, ‘she did little to resolve them’.

The First Minister then reiterated that Scotland had voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to remain within the EU and said: “It is regrettable that the UK government has consistently failed to engaged properly with the Scottish and other devolved governments and and it is essential we now have a meaningful role in the forthcoming negotiations.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also responded to the speech, saying: “After 20 wasted months, Theresa May has once again failed to bring real clarity to the negotiations – and worryingly, she admitted that her approach will reduce our access to European markets.

“She read out a long list of problems but failed to provide solutions, particularly on the urgent question of preventing a hard border in Northern Ireland.

“We clearly set out our Brexit priorities in Coventry on Monday. Theresa May’s only clear priority today seemed to be to tie the UK permanently to EU rules which are used to drive privatisation and block support for British industry.”