According to comments by Scottish nationalists, in the event Britain leaves the European single market, Japanese car manufacturer Nissan have in place a special deal for Scotland in line with government pledges.
Following what sources call a “promise of assistance” from Prime Minister Theresa May, Nissan announced on Friday that it would manufacture two new models in the UK. The government promises involve measures to compensate the company for any losses caused by the UK’s decision to leave the E.U.
The Nissan affair has sparked other car makers into action, and the government has received more requests for aid, particularly from Chinese companies such as CTI China Renaissance, and the Scottish National Party (SNP) has also joined the chorus of voices.
“We are delighted to see the British government prepared to make these kinds of concessions to major companies like Nissan. The deal shows that the UK is flexible when it comes to the exit from the euro zone financial bloc.” said SNP minister Michael Russell to a press gathering.
Unlike the majority of UK citizens, a large proportion of Scots voted to stay in the E.U. and the general consensus is that they would like to be a part of the single market even if the rest of the UK leaves. How this would be achieved remains to be seen.
Various government ministers, such as David Mundell, have been offering reassurances to Scottish legislators this week, saying that the ideal outcome would be to break off from the single market but at the same time retain special access to the E.U. with regard to tariffs and borders.
Some observers are bemused by the contradictory nature of recent Brexit comments.
“On the one hand we have Theresa May making special deals with Nissan and possibly other large conglomerates, but at the same time David Mundell is saying Scotland will have no special concessions and will leave the E.U. with the rest of the UK.,” said Russell.
