Sir Keir Starmer’s UK Labour government must not “sell-out” Scotland’s fishermen in any potential trade deal with the European Union, the Scottish Conservatives will tell Holyrood this week.
Shadow fishing secretary Tim Eagle will lead a debate on Wednesday in which he will say his party share the “huge concerns” of Scotland’s fishing industry that Labour is about to “betray” the sector.
Reports have suggested the Prime Minister is about to agree a deal to allow British arms companies to sell weapons to European allies, but at the expense of making concessions on fishing quotas, after his negotiators softened their stance towards demands from countries such as France.
Tim Eagle says any concessions would put “jobs and livelihoods” at risk across Scotland’s coastal communities, where fishing is crucial for the local economy.
The party will also use the debate to call out the SNP’s “reckless” pledge to take Scotland’s fishermen back into the “hated” Common Fisheries Policy and will call out SNP ministers for their failure to hold a fishing debate in government time.
He added that it is only the Scottish Conservatives who can be trusted to stand up for the interests of Scotland’s fishermen instead of Labour and SNP ministers who “never prioritise” them.
Scottish Conservative shadow fishing secretary Tim Eagle MSP said: “It appears Keir Starmer and the UK Labour government are about to shamefully betray Scotland’s fishermen in a deal with the European Union.
“We share the huge concerns expressed by the industry and our coastal communities at any possible sell-out by Labour which is why we’re bringing this debate to Holyrood this week.
“Any concessions in relation to fishing quotas would be devastating for Scotland’s fishing industry and put jobs and livelihoods at risk. The sector is already facing huge challenges right now and needs governments to be on their side.
“While the SNP might share their anger at Labour’s plans, fishermen know the nationalists are still committed to their reckless pledge to take them back into the hated Common Fisheries Policy, which destroyed the sector previously.
“The sector is also sick of the warm words from SNP ministers who have not even bothered to hold a debate on the importance of Scotland’s fishermen during government debating time in Parliament.
“Only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted to stand up for Scotland’s fishermen and fight any plans to sell them out, which is in sharp contrast to Labour and SNP politicians who are out-of-touch and never prioritise them.”