Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of “leading Scotland up a blind alley” with efforts to maintain the country’s links with the European Union (EU).
Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw said the First Minister, along with Brexit minister Mike Russell and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop, had “over-reached” in attempts to protect Scotland’s status in the EU.
Mr Carlaw said the Leave vote was a “challenge, not a brick wall” and urged the Scottish Government to work with the UK Government to secure more funding for culture, tourism and the creative industries during a Holyrood debate on the implications of Brexit for the sectors.
He said: “This over-reaching fuelled by the messianic subservience of her party is leading Scotland up a blind alley.
“At this rate it may become necessary for the First Minister and Mr Russell to voluntarily surrender their passports before they do any further damage. Their six-month mission has failed to deliver.
“Their approach is distancing Scotland from the real discussion and debate, undermining Scotland’s voice in the negotiation that is soon to come.”
He added: “There is a difference between representing our distinctive voice and the vacuous parade of European capitals that Mr Russell and Scotland’s own Evita – the First Minister – have indulged themselves in with seemingly no tangible benefit of any material kind since June.
“As the actor Tom Hanks reportedly admonished serial whingers after the US presidential election, it’s time to put on your big boy pants and get on with making a success of the country as it is and not as you would have it.
“Well, Mr Russell and Ms Hyslop, it’s time for you to both put on your big boy pants and stop the ceaseless whinging across Europe and the wider world.”
Ms Hyslop said there was “overwhelming” support from the cultural, creative and tourism industries for Scotland maintaining its place in the EU.
She said: “We must ensure that our European neighbours are in no doubt that Scotland wants to maintain our close relationship with them and we can’t allow the UK Government’s efforts to change these relationships to tarnish and diminish Scotland’s positive international reputation.”
The External Affairs Secretary said she was seeking reassurance from the UK Government that its Brexit plans would not harm Dundee’s planned bid to become the 2023 European Capital of Culture.
Ms Hyslop said: “The European Capital of Culture programme demonstrates the tangible benefits of cultural exchange through the EU.
“Places which hold the title can expect to achieve cultural, regenerative and economic benefits.
“I have today written to the UK Secretary of State for Culture Karen Bradley urgently seeking clarity on her intentions for the UK participation in the Capital of Culture programme.
“Dundee are aiming to hold the title in 2023 and have already invested a significant amount of time, energy and funding into their bid. They must not now have the rug pulled from under them.”
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said that next year’s 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival underlined the importance of promoting Scotland as an outward-looking country.
He said: “We, in our time, cannot fail to see the risk of dark times ahead.
“We know that there are those who want Britain to turn its back on Europe, just as there are those who want America to turn its back on the world.”
