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Sturgeon: PM must heed voice of Scotland on Brexit Sturgeon: Coming weeks 'really critical' for UK on Brexit
(about 2 hours later)
Nicola Sturgeon has urged the prime minister to take proposals on Brexit from the devolved administrations seriously, as they met for key talks. Nicola Sturgeon has said "the next few weeks are going to be really critical" in building a UK-wide Brexit position.
The first minister was speaking as she and Mrs May prepared to attend a Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting. The first minister was speaking after meeting Theresa May for talks with other leaders in Wales.
Ms Sturgeon warned time was running out for the prime minister to "heed the voice of Scotland". Ms Sturgeon warned time was running out for the prime minister to "square the circle" of different Brexit votes and "heed the voice of Scotland".
Mrs May said she hoped the meeting would be constructive but warned they "will not agree on everything". Mrs May pledged to engage the devolved governments in the process, but said they "will not agree on everything".
She also said the Supreme Court ruling on triggering Article 50 had set out "beyond doubt" that relations with Brussels would be determined by the UK government.She also said the Supreme Court ruling on triggering Article 50 had set out "beyond doubt" that relations with Brussels would be determined by the UK government.
The JMC meeting in Cardiff between the UK government and devolved administrations included talks on the Scottish government's proposals for maintaining access to the single market. The Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting in Cardiff between the UK government and devolved administrations included talks on the Scottish government's proposals for maintaining access to the single market.
Proposals to remain in the single market have also been put forward by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood.Proposals to remain in the single market have also been put forward by Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood.
A communiqué issued following the meeting said "consideration of the proposals of the devolved administrations is an ongoing process", adding that "work will need to be intensified ahead of triggering Article 50 and continued at the same pace thereafter".A communiqué issued following the meeting said "consideration of the proposals of the devolved administrations is an ongoing process", adding that "work will need to be intensified ahead of triggering Article 50 and continued at the same pace thereafter".
Ms Sturgeon has previously warned that Mrs May's plans to take the UK out of the single market "undoubtedly" made a second referendum on Scottish independence more likely.Ms Sturgeon has previously warned that Mrs May's plans to take the UK out of the single market "undoubtedly" made a second referendum on Scottish independence more likely.
Her Brexit minister Mike Russell said there was "small progress" if any progress at all at the latest summit. Following the latest meeting, she told the BBC: "If the Prime Minister is serious about doing what she wanted to do in July, and find a UK-wide approach before Article 50 triggered, if she's serious about seeing the UK as a partnership of equals, then I think its incumbent on her and the UK government to meet the devolved administrations halfway.
"So far there's no sign of that happening. And I'm very clear that time is running out for that to happen.
"The next few weeks are going to be really critical if we are to be convinced - and I'm far from convinced - that Scotland's voice is going to be heard or listened to at all."
'Crucial juncture''Crucial juncture'
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ms Sturgeon said it was "one of the most important since the result of the EU referendum seven months ago". Ms Sturgeon said her government was prepared to compromise, but had seen no such willingness from Mrs May's administration.
She said: "It comes at a crucial juncture, with the clock ticking down to the triggering of Article 50 and with, so far, no sign whatsoever that the UK government is taking Scotland's position remotely seriously. She said: "I came down here determined to go the extra mile, to find compromise, to try to find a way to square the circle of the UK vote to leave and the Scottish vote to Remain.
"The JMC meeting in Cardiff is another chance for the prime minister to heed the voice of Scotland and those of the other devolved governments - and she must take the opportunity to do so. "I also came here with a very clear message for the prime minister, that so far the only compromise has come from the Scottish government, there's been no attempt at compromise on the part of the UK government.
"We have compromised by publishing detailed proposals to keep Scotland in the European single market even if the rest of the UK leaves. "What the meeting did today was to intensify the work of considering proposals from the Scottish government and other devolved administrations ahead of trigger Article 50.
"Those compromise proposals are formally on the agenda for this meeting, and so the prime minister has a chance to show she is serious about her pledge to properly consider those proposals." "But I was very clear that we have to see a step change in the engagement of the UK government and their willingness to substantively compromise in order to convince me that they're serious about listening to Scotland."
Mr Russell told the BBC's Today programme that "we haven't got anywhere close to" a joint position between the UK government and the devolved administrations. Among the other politicians at the event were Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, UK Brexit Secretary David Davis, and the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh secretaries.
And he said the "obsession" with immigration was "driving the UK government into a very dangerous place" as he set out demands for Scotland to remain within the single market and its freedom of movement rules. The Welsh government said Mr Jones had "welcomed a firm commitment" from Mrs May that Brexit "would to be use as cover for a 'land grab' on devolved powers", and noted the two had discussed "full single market access and its vital importance to the Welsh economy".
'Right deal' They noted that "the positions are not identical, but not irreconcilable at this stage".
A spokesman for the UK government said: "We have been determined from the start that the devolved administrations should be fully engaged as we form the UK's negotiating position for leaving the EU. The JMC communiqué said the prime minister had provided "an updated on the objectives for the UK's exit from the EU".
"The JMC process gives Scottish government ministers direct access to the UK government as we plan our EU exit. It added that ministers "explored how the four administrations can most effectively support businesses to trade and invest", and said they "talks about the principles which should govern relations between the four administrations".
"All proposals from the devolved administrations are being studied carefully. 'Full and frank'
"We are focused on getting the right deal for Scotland and the UK as a whole. That means the best possible access to the EU market for British businesses." Scottish Secretary David Mundell confirmed "inter-governmental discussions" on proposals brought forward by the devolved administrations would be intensified.
He added: "It also means ensuring a strong future for our United Kingdom, which the Scottish government's own export figures show is worth four times more to Scotland's economy than the EU single market." He said: "The question is not about can there be differentiation [for Scotland], the question is whether Scotland would benefit from differentiation, and that's what really has got to be at the heart of these intense discussions.
"Is it necessary to have a separate deal for Scotland, is the wish for a separate deal for Scotland driven by ideology or is it really based on economic fact and Scotland's future needs?
"That is what we need to have a full and frank discussion about in the weeks ahead."
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson added that Ms Sturgeon's comments amounted to "more sabre-rattling", saying: "Nicola Sturgeon should be using these talks to work with others from across the UK to get the best Brexit deal for all of us. Instead, she's trying to pick fights to promote her own political agenda."