WITH the Conservative UK Government stepping up plans to prepare for a no deal Brexit, Moray’s SNP MSP has warned that leaving the EU without an agreement would be disastrous for businesses in the region. Richard Lochhead is particularly concerned that export-driven businesses locally will be hit hard if the UK falls out of the EU without securing a deal. Fochabers-based food giant Baxters, who employ around 400 people locally, expressed their deep concerns over a no deal Brexit and confirmed that the company was planning to stockpile supplies. Commenting, Mr Lochhead said: “The clock is ticking and as the days go by we’re getting closer and closer to no deal and to the certain chaos that would ensue. “Our local economy is largely export focussed and it is absolutely in Moray’s interest to remain part of the single market and customs union, but instead we have local employers like Baxters making plans to stockpile produce and supplies so serious are the concerns about leaving the EU without a deal. “As we hurtle towards the cliff edge we have people in our communities who have moved here from Europe who are becoming increasingly anxious about a no deal Brexit and what that would mean for their future. “The local economy needs Scotland to remain part of the single market and customs
union even if we are to leave the EU. There’s virtually no aspect of our lives that wouldn’t be affected by a no deal Brexit – we should be in no doubt that leaving the EU without a deal would be a disaster for Moray. However, Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross described the SNP’s warnings “ironic”. He said: “Many people will find it rather ironic that a political party like the SNP which recklessly wants to tear Scotland out of the UK should be expressing concern about the consequences of Brexit.
“It is prudent for local companies to make contingency plans for Brexit but I am confident that a country with the world’s fifth largest economy should be able to manage the challenges of Brexit. “But we should also seek to grasp the opportunities, for example, regaining the UK’s status as an independent coastal state as we leave the Common Fisheries Policy. I will be concentrating my efforts on ensuring a thriving future for our fishing industry and all the jobs and investment that would flow from that.”