THE UK Government is facing increased demands to properly explore the effects of leaving the EU amid what is believed to be the first debate on the impact of Brexit after leaving the bloc.
MPs on Monday debated calls for an inquiry into the impact of Brexit after the government previously rejected a call for an official probe into the effects of leaving the EU.
Brexit and its impacts have been discussed repeatedly in the House of Commons, but it is thought this is the first time a full debate had been scheduled to discuss it specifically.
Speaking ahead of the debate, the SNP’s Europe spokesperson Alyn Smith said: “It is clear to see that Brexit has made the UK meaner, poorer and weaker. The Brexit campaign promised everything and unsurprisingly failed to deliver anything.
"The people of Scotland voted decisively to remain in the European Union yet have been forced out against their will. Brexit has been bad for our businesses, bad for our universities and bad for our communities. No wonder then that 72% of Scots want back in the EU.
"The SNP supports this call for a public inquiry into the impact of Brexit. We want to see the UK have as close, deep and functional relationship with our European friends. The UK being honest with itself about how it got into this mess would be a good start for how it gets out of it."
MPs discussed a petition calling for an independent public inquiry into the effects of Brexit started by Peter Packham, a member of the European Movement campaign group.
He said: “This will be the first time that MPs have had an opportunity to debate the impact of Brexit, which is an extraordinary place to be three years after leaving the EU.
“A public inquiry into the impact of Brexit is crucial for our country and our democracy.
“The public has the right to know the outcome of this historic decision and our ability to move forward must be informed by the full knowledge of what has happened so far, what is likely to happen in the future and what steps must be taken to mitigate any negative impacts.
“Holding a full, independent public inquiry should not be a controversial request.”
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, the chair of the Defence Select Committee, said: “More and more people are questioning Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. What parliament must realise is that this deal is up for review in 2025. Are we really going to say, ‘Nothing to see here?’
“What we need now is a balance of consequences review - an opportunity for stakeholders to review all the aspects and outcomes of Brexit. An inquiry is a crucial part of that review process and should be arranged as swiftly as possible.”
Labour MP Clive Lewis added: “We need an independent public inquiry to map out the impact so we can, collectively as a country, work out how to fix the myriad problems. The formal review of the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement is coming up in just two years. Surely we want to be well prepared for that and not cluelessly stumble into those negotiations with our heads in the sand.”
