Sunak Skewers SNP in first PMQs as he demands party respect Brexit

Rishi Sunak stood firm in the face of fierce questioning from the SNP as he urged supporters of the Scottish independence movement to respect the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum. MP Alyn Smith of the SNP accused the new Prime Minister of denying ‘Scotland’s democracy’ by objecting to calls for a second independence referendum and subsequent return to the European Union. Mr Sunak patiently listened to the tirade of pro-independence demands from the SNP before he responded demanding his fellow MP ‘respect the result of the referendum’.Addressing the Prime Minister, Alyn Smith began: ‘We on these benches believe that Scotland’s best future is independence in Europe.’His declaration was immediately cut off by floods of laughter from the surrounding benches.Mr Smith, evidently frustrated by the reaction within the Commons, continued: ‘Mr Speaker I really would urge the members opposite to show a little more respect because it is not just us, it’s not just the SNP and I will not be shouted down. ‘In the last opinion poll, 72 percent of the people of Scotland want back into the European Union. If the Prime Minister is to maintain any credibility in the eyes of the people of Scotland, how long does he think he can deny Scotland’s democracy?’ Rishi Sunak urged the SNP to respect the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum (Image: Parliament TV)In response to his question, Rishi Sunak quipped: ‘He talked about respect – I would gently urge him to respect the result of the referendum we had on this topic.’He continued: ‘While we will disagree on that issue, I can tell him that I do remain committed to working constructively in partnership with the Scottish government to deliver for the people of Scotland.’The SNP has promoted the idea that membership to the European Union delivered many ‘social, economic and cultural benefits’ across Scotland.While the party continues to lobby for a second referendum on Scottish independence, the SNP has suggested a second vote would also open the opportunity for Scotland to later re-enter the EU as an independent nation.More to follow