Scotland must not be “dragged out” of EU says Scottish government

Speaking ahead of a debate on Scotland’s membership of the European Union in the Scottish parliament, Mr Yousaf stressed that the UK’s membership must be subject to a “double majority” – with any vote for exit from the EU only valid if each constituent part of the UK votes to leave.

Mr Yousaf said: “Our EU membership brings enormous benefits to Scotland and it is vital that it continues.

“It would be completely unacceptable for Scotland to be dragged out of the EU against her will.

“The Scottish government does not support the prime minister’s proposed in-out referendum on the UK’s EU membership.

“That puts Scotland’s place in Europe in grave danger – and we will continue to passionately advocate the benefits of being part of Europe.

“Since the independence referendum we have seen a substantially higher level of support for EU membership in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, with support for Scotland to remain in the EU 19 points higher than two years ago, and Scots more likely to recognise the advantages of our EU membership.

“That strong support for membership is why we believe that for the UK to leave the EU, it should require not just a majority across the whole UK, but a majority in each constituent part of the UK – a ‘double majority’.

“Membership of the EU places Scottish businesses within the world’s largest economy, whose 500 million citizens enjoy some of the highest standards of living on the globe.

“Around 20 million businesses operate in the EU single market, and the EU is a vital export market for Scottish firms – accounting for almost half of Scotland’s international exports in 2013, worth a massive £12.9 billion each year.”