SNP MP Mhairi Black 'held her nose' while voting Remain in EU referendum
The SNP's official policy was to back remaining in the EU
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Your support makes all the difference.SNP MP Mhairi Black has said she ‘held her nose’ while voting for Remain, it has been reported.
The Scottish politician reportedly expressed serious misgivings about the referendum campaign, causing her to reluctantly cast her vote. Ms Black made the admission while addressing a public meeting in Aberdeenshire this week, The Daily Telegraph reports.
An SNP spokesperson later said the MP’s exact wording was: “If I’m honest, there was an element of holding my nose a bit when I voted Remain.”
Her comments come amid revelations a number of prominent SNP figures voted Leave, including former Scottish Government Health Minister Alex Neil. Former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars claimed he has been made aware of ‘five or six’ MSPs who had done the same.
The SNP’s official party position was to back Remain. The party’s policy in the lead up to the referendum was that: “The SNP believes that membership of Europe Union is in Scotland’s best interests. There are a huge number of benefits for Scotland from EU membership including that the EU is the main destination for Scotland’s international exports and as citizens of the EU we are able to travel freely throughout Europe – for work, study or travel – without the need for visas.
“The SNP doesn’t believe the EU is perfect and agree that it needs reform, however we want Scotland to have a louder voice in Europe, an increased contribution to EU policy making and an opportunity to be part of discussions about reform, rather than becoming even more distant by removing ourselves altogether.”
In Scotland, 62 per cent of voters backed Remain.
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