WESTMINSTER will remain “engulfed by Brexit chaos for years to come”, Nicola Sturgeon will claim today, as she urges voters to back independence instead.
In an election speech in Dundee, the SNP leader will also warn a Tory win on December 12 could undo recent investment in key devolved public services such as the NHS.
Ms Sturgeon has said a vote for the SNP in the general election is an escape from Brexit and a way to give Scotland a choice over its own future.
The Tories accused Ms Sturgeon of a “stunning lack of self-awareness” given her demand for another independence referendum in 2020.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says 'no' to the Euro if an independent Scotland joined EU
Ms Sturgeon is expected to say: “I doubt there is anyone in Scotland who is not heartily sick of Brexit and the chaos we’ve seen played out at Westminster night after night. But the Westminster parties have barely got going.
“The hard-line approach of Boris Johnson means there is every chance Scotland will be forced out of the EU next year with no trade deal.
“Leaving in that way will be an economic disaster. But any Brexit will hit jobs, living standards and the NHS.
“The truth is Westminster is going to be engulfed by Brexit chaos for years to come – with long-term damage to Scotland guaranteed.
“And at this election it has become clear that Westminster control means multiple threats to our NHS and to public services in Scotland.
“A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit. And to escape these threats to our public services.”
Scottish Tory candidate Paul Masterton, who is defending East Renfrewshire, said: “Like all my Scottish Conservative colleagues, I voted for a deal to deliver Brexit. The reason we are still facing uncertainty over Brexit is because SNP MPs blocked that from going ahead.”
“As always, Nicola Sturgeon betrays a stunning lack of self-awareness here.
“The only chaos we face is if she and Jeremy Corbyn cook up a deal to deliver an independence referendum next year, as she is threatening.”
“We must stop Scotland going back to more division - and the only way to do that is by voting Scottish Conservative.”
Ms Sturgeon also called yesterday for Holyrood to have the power to create an immigration system “fit for Scotland’s needs”, given the country’s reliance on immigrant workers to grow the population and the predicted surge in elderly people.
Citing successful regional immigration schemes in Australia and Canada, she said: “The SNP’s preference is for Scotland to remain in the EU and to keep freedom of movement.
“But no matter what happens with Brexit, we need a migration system fit for purpose and fit for Scotland’s needs.
“Leaving the EU, and ending freedom of movement, will not only be bad for our economy and our public services but will deprive Scots of our rights to live and work across Europe.
“Both the Tories and Labour are determined to impose a one-size-fits-all approach - but UK immigration policies do not take into account Scotland’s unique circumstances. This approach will be a disaster for Scotland – it will send our working-age population into decline, threatening tax revenues and cause serious staffing shortages in our NHS.”
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