Ross-shire constituency amongst most 'bregretful' in UK over exit from European Union as momentous anniversary sparks fresh concern
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FIFTY-FIVE per cent of the Westminster constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross agree that Britain was wrong to leave the European Union.
That's according to a recent poll conducted by UnHerd Britain.
The poll ranks the north constituency as the 297th most ‘'Bregretful' out of 632 UK constituencies.
The major poll also shows that only three constituencies in the whole of Britain think leaving the EU was a good idea – all of them in Lincolnshire.
Caithness, Sutherland & Ross MSP, Maree Todd said: “As Britain marks the third anniversary for Brexit, this poll serves as a timely reminder of the damage caused by the Tories.
“Scotland never voted to leave the EU in the first place, so it’s no surprise that this poll reflects that the majority of Scotland still agrees that the UK was wrong to withdraw its membership.
“Most notably though, the poll shows a major loss of support across the UK, even in areas that voted for Brexit. This is a huge blow for the Tories who are desperately clutching at straws trying to prove the benefits of Brexit.”
The poll results coincide with forecasts made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which predict the UK economy will contract by 0.6 per cent in 2023. This contrasts with other European nations, including Germany, that is forecasted to grow by 0.1 per cent and France 0.7 per cent.
Russia, which has been hit by sanctions following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, is even expected to experience growth this year.
Maree Todd added: “The forecasts made by the IMF are deeply concerning. It’s clear that Brexit has put the UK on the wrong path and our economy is stagnating as a result.
“In my constituency, we are living with the devastating consequences of Brexit. We are seeing local care homes face closure due to labour shortages, our key sectors including the likes of food and vegetable production are struggling due to recruitment challenges and our fishing sector – who were promised the world – have been betrayed on the way out of the EU exactly as they were on the way in.
“Brexit is threatening the sustainability of our rural Highland communities. It is becoming increasingly more evident that only independence will provide the range of powers best suited to Scotland’s long-term needs.
“With the Tories and Labour united in their pro-Brexit stance, and the Liberal Democrats just going along with it, it is only the SNP that are willing to stand up for Scotland’s rightful place in the EU.”
Read full details of the findings here.
