As the Chancellor sets out her plan to improve the UK’s links with the European Union, Herald writer Brian Taylor discloses emerging SNP thinking on the EU – and analyses how the issue could affect the May elections. 

It was intriguing to see the Chancellor manoeuvre this week towards closer integration with the European Union.  Albeit the approach was on tiptoes, with accompanying disclaimers. 

This issue remains the UK Government’s conundrum, its internal contradiction.  The Prime Minister and his colleagues partly blame Brexit for Britain’s stagnant economy – but stop well short of the arguably logical corollary, rejoining the EU.

In Scotland, SNP leaders hope to exploit that dilemma at the May elections.  One strategist told me: “Brexit is holding Labour back.  They never owned it yet Starmer is now afraid to move in case there is a voter backlash in England.” 

So what did the Chancellor offer?  She said there should be a closer relationship with the EU as part of a three-point package.  The other elements being a step change in AI development and “unlocking growth in every UK region and nation.” 

Will economic stability return when the Iran War ends? Seems not.

Tell me this – what exactly is the aim of the Iran War?

Starmer is finished but when does Scottish Labour need him gone?

What is left of the Parliament Jim Wallace helped create?

But that move towards the EU is notably constrained.  There will be a move to cut regulatory burdens.  The UK will “consider aligning rules” with Brussels, provided the changes meet national interest principles, as defined by the Treasury. 

The Chancellor said, in a lecture, that alignment, if pursued, could support higher growth and better jobs, could strengthen “economic........

© Herald Scotland