On the Full Scottish this week, Ellen Höfer is joined by guests, David Greig, Artistic director of Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre and housing rights advocate, Lisa Peebles.
Next week is going to be a tough week at Westminster with many late night sittings as Parliament attempts to stop the UK falling out of the EU without a deal on Friday. As we look on gob-smacked at Labour's insincerity in the face of tory incompetence. It beggar’s belief that Labour, still adhering to the Bain Principle, whipped against SNP MP, Joanna Cherry's motion which would have prevented a no deal Brexit, only to support the much weaker, Yvette Cooper Bill a day later. The Cooper bill was rushed through the House of Commons in one day on Wednesday, only to grind to a halt as it faced wrecking amendment after wrecking amendment and filibuster after filibuster in the Lords. Despite the Bill being scheduled to complete its passage through the Lords and given royal assent by Monday night, Theresa May, in an act of incredible bad faith, wrote to the EU on Friday, to request an Article 50 extension until 30th June, undermining the Cooper Bill.
Late Saturday night, after three days of negotiations, Theresa May issued a statement setting out the basis of a Brexit deal to be agreed with Labour, but it seems almost indistinguishable from her already rejected deal. We are awaiting Labour’s comments on the proposals.
Brexit is set to have a profound effect on business and a no-deal Brexit will be so catastrophic, that manufacturers have called for Article 50 to be revoked rather than risk exiting without a deal.
One industry which has been profoundly affected by the tightening of the visa regime and hostile environment in the UK is the Arts and this only looks like getting worse if Brexit takes away freedom of movement. The Arts have always been at the vanguard of international dialogue and Scotland’s place as possibly the most important country in the world for artists to meet and collaborate is at serious risk because of Brexit. Over the years, many artists have made Scotland their home and for many more, Scotland’s many arts festivals have provided the most important forums for international dialogue.
The importance of dialogue in the arts should never be underestimated. It has often sown the seeds of much greater international understanding and diplomatic contacts which might other-wise have been impossible and through the arts, Scotland has created a space for international diplomacy and collaboration of far greater global significance than many realise.
The First Minister’s letter, written to EU Citizens living in Scotlandn has been warmly welcomed, but for many, the uncertainty facing them and their families means words are no longer enough. Many really want to see action now, to ensure that their rights to live in Scotland and to vote in Scottish elections continues without interruption. Scotland has become their home and they would be devastated if they could not participate in any vote to shape Scotland’s future.
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