McAlpine : Mundell can’t be trusted on Brexit

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South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine has hit out at David Mundell’s most recent position on Brexit after he voted to seek changes to Theresa May’s Withdrawal Bill despite claiming two weeks ago that the deal could not be altered.

The controversial vote took place on Tuesday night. The MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale was one of 317 MPs who voted in favour of the Prime Minister’s plan to re-write the EU withdrawal agreement to replace the Irish backstop with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border.

Commenting, Ms McAlpine says:

“Two weeks ago David Mundell told us he was backing Mrs May’s ill-fated withdrawal agreement because it was the only deal on the table. He claimed it was final and no changes could be made. He stated live on national television, ‘It can’t and won’t be changed.’

“Now he’s voted in favour of a deal that would make the changes he previously told us were impossible.  So he either failed to tell the truth two weeks ago or he’s now voting for a deal that he knows cannot be delivered.

“The EU27 have made it clear they have no intention of abandoning the Irish backstop and I know from regular visits to Brussels that they mean what they say. This vote simply kicks the can down the road and makes the calamity of a no deal Brexit more likely. It is deeply irresponsible.

“David Mundell is claiming that Tuesday’s vote sends a strong message to the EU. The only message he’s sending is that he and his Tory party can’t be trusted on anything.”

Annandale North SNP Councillor, Stephen Thompson remarked:

“It’s hard to make any sense of the MP’s position measured against any principles other than the most cynical. It certainly doesn’t in any meaningful sense represent any of the Remain voting areas that make up his constituency.”

“It’s very clear that whether it’s the UK Conservatives leading by poor example at Westminster, or UK Labour doing whatever it is that they do, we in Scotland remain under-served as part of this union and we are left increasingly to mitigate against a series of bad decisions and situations not of our choosing.”

“After hearing from Council Officers and Police Scotland about the level of preparation they are planning for because of Brexit it does nothing to inspire any confidence in those UK politicians who are negotiating in our name.”