SNP urge Lib Dems to ‘work together’ in push to rejoin EU

THE SNP have urged the Liberal Democrats to join forces in a push to return to the European Union.

The party has extended what it called a “European hand of friendship” to the Lib Dems ahead of their conference in Brighton this weekend, The Scotsman reports.

SNP MSP Alex Kerr told the newspaper the parties should put aside their constitutional differences and “work together” towards returning to the EU.

While the SNP supports rejoining the EU and says an independent Scotland should become a member of the bloc, the Lib Dems back rejoining in the longer term and currently support returning to the single market.

Kerr, the MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said: “While we firmly believe in the fresh start of independence and the Liberal Democrats believe that sovereign control should sit with Westminster, we can agree that pooled sovereignty on our continent through the European Union best serves all our people.

“We know the Liberal Democrats are fiercely European and while many of their members and voters are frustrated by their weakened position on rejoining the EU, there is no reason that has to remain.

“Therefore, we extend the European hand of friendship to work with Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ed Davey to bring about our return to the EU.

“Despite our differences, we can and should work together to build that European future.”

The SNP have said the parties should work together towards returning to the EU (Image: PA)

Kerr went on to urge the Lib Dems to return to supporting EU membership and suggested there was common ground between the parties despite their differing positions on Scottish independence.

He added: “All of us who fiercely believe in Scotland’s place in the EU should work together to secure it and we encourage the Liberal Democrats to do just that – return to your policy of EU entry and work with us.

“The SNP and the Liberal Democrats have worked together in the past and we know deep down the Liberal Democrats know that our future has to be in Europe.”

Responding to Kerr, Scottish Lib Dem external affairs spokesperson David Green questioned the SNP’s record on Europe.

He told The Scotsman: “I’ve always been a bit sceptical over the SNP’s pro-European credentials given that they spent more money on the Shetland by-election than they did on the European referendum campaign.

“No one doubts that the Lib Dems are the UK’s most pro-European party and we are doing all we can to get the whole UK back to the heart of Europe.”