Scotland would follow Norway’s example and stay in the single market after Brexit under proposals announced by Nicola Sturgeon yesterday.
The first minister published plans which she claimed would help Scotland to keep the perks of staying in the EU.
She said that her priority was for the whole of the UK to remain within the single market but if that could not be achieved then Scotland should strike its own deal. If neither of these options was possible, she would seek a second independence referendum.
The Norway model would mean Scotland remained in the customs union and the single market by joining the European Economic Area.
Ms Sturgeon insisted that her proposals represented a “serious and genuine attempt” to come up with a solution that would benefit all parts of the UK.
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“I hope and expect that the UK government will demonstrate the same flexibility and willingness to compromise,” she said.
Hours later Theresa May rejected any suggestion of a separate deal. “What we will be negotiating is a United Kingdom approach and a United Kingdom relationship with the European Union,” Mrs May told the Commons liaison committee.
The proposals will be discussed at Westminster early next month.