Thread by @AMSalamone

#SP2021 | Analysis of the Scottish Labour manifesto: European and international affairs elements. A brief selection. Brexit happened somewhere (else) #SP21 scottishlabour.org.uk/where-we-stand…

EU | Scottish Labour says that Scotland and the UK should have 'as close a relationship with the EU as possible'. Which means what? Keeping the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (which is not close)? Rejoining the EU? Something else? Some measure of vision and detail would be good

BREXIT | Scottish Labour opposes using Brexit to weaken environmental standards and the 'chaos' for fisheries from the 'botched EU deal'. Yet, it proposes nothing on how it would approach the EU relationship instead. Brexit and EU relations are presented as a passive exercise

TRADE | Labour calls for Scotland and UK integrated trade and industrial strategy (which the party has mentioned before), including ethical trade. It wants to use enterprise agencies for 'business recovery'. No mention of Scottish intl network (or UK diplomatic network)

PROCUREMENT | Labour advocates a ‘local first’ approach to procurement that favours domestic suppliers. Specific details would be needed, but this approach may not be compatible with EU law, making it more difficult for Scotland to join or have a closer relationship with the EU

REGULATION | Scottish Labour proposes many measures, including transport nationalisation, land ownership limits, food/drink labelling & marketing regulation and alcohol tax, which could impact Scotland's relationship with the EU. Some could fall under the UK Internal Market Act

VALUES | Labour calls for advancing SDGs in Scotland and internationally, global citizenship education & all-government approach to Scotland as a good global citizen. These principles are excellent ways of linking Scotland's internal action with its external action

DEVELOPMENT | Scottish Labour restates support for the Scottish Government's International Development Programme and Climate Justice Fund, and calls for focus on climate change and pandemic. Most main Holyrood parties have backed the programme – a positive cross-party consensus

THINK TANK | Scottish Labour is the third party to support establishing a Scottish international affairs think tank. It says that Scotland does not have a foreign policy, but does have an 'important role' on a 'range of international issues' – seeking a practical middle ground

#SP2021: LABOUR | Scottish Labour proposes fairly little on EU & intl engagement. Many of its plans would have an impact on Scotland's EU relationship, but it avoids talking about the EU, as if Brexit happened somewhere else. That approach cannot be sustained forever – FINIS –