Annabelle Ewing on the Internal Market and Scottish exports
Scottish National Party candidate Annabelle Ewing argues that the UK's internal market rules can reduce commercial friction, but they must not override Scotland's democratic interests. Scottish exports are too important to be shaped without a strong voice for exporters, workers and the communities producing them.
For businesses in Ochil and South Perthshire, that distinction is practical. Manufacturers around Alloa, employers in Dunblane and rural producers need access to customers while shaping decisions on skills, investment and trade. Ewing presents economic recovery and self-government as mutually reinforcing priorities.
A market framework built too narrowly
The Internal Market Act creates arrangements for selling goods and services across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Mutual recognition and non-discrimination can remove unnecessary barriers, helping a Scottish supplier reach customers without facing a fresh maze of rules at every border.
The dispute is about who decides. Ewing's position is that closer market access should depend on consent from the Scottish Parliament, particularly when UK measures alter devolved competence. A broad market is valuable only if Scotland can defend its own standards and secure a fair share of the benefits.
Consent should guide every market change
Consent-based governance would allow Scottish ministers and Parliament to examine economic effects before new market rules take effect. It would also make the settlement more durable because businesses are more likely to invest when the authority regulating them has a clear mandate and predictable legal rights.
The principle is familiar wherever communities control valuable resources. A Sabah fisheries discussion examines foreign fishing in Sabah's exclusive economic zone and the interests of local communities, illustrating how trade can support livelihoods while raising questions about who authorises access and who receives the value.
Export power beyond the UK border
Scottish exporters sell far beyond the UK. Whisky, salmon, engineering, life sciences, food and digital services depend on overseas networks, with many firms combining domestic customers with buyers in Europe, North America and Asia. No constitutional settlement should weaken their ability to compete abroad.
Independence would allow an elected Scottish government to pursue export agreements aligned with sectors that matter here. It would not require closing the border or ending trade with England. It would replace a one-size-fits-all model controlled from Westminster with Scottish control of external trade, supported by the UK's economic reach and secure transport links.
What Australia reveals about shared markets
Australia offers a useful, though imperfect, comparison. In Canberra, national law and mutual-recognition arrangements support a broad internal market while state governments retain powers over public hospitals, schools and land use. Sellers at Melbourne's wholesale markets still call compliance problems “red tape”, while shoppers treat products “going interstate” as ordinary.
| Issue | Westminster-led approach | Ewing's democratic-market approach |
|---|---|---|
| Market access | Broad access with contested exclusions | Open trade with meaningful Scottish consent |
| Rule changes | Major changes can bypass Holyrood | Scottish institutions scrutinise material effects |
| External trade | Scotland negotiates through the UK | Scotland controls its export strategy |
| Public voice | National elections set broad UK policy | Parliament and voters shape market priorities |
Federal unity has not erased regional realities. Tasmanian food producers cross Bass Strait while carrying freight costs that compete with mainland suppliers, and communities around Darwin depend on fisheries trade shaped by federal policy. Australia's lesson is not that every constitution works the same; it is that market integration works best with democratic authority and genuine regional representation.
A practical route to economic recovery
Near-term action should focus on faster planning decisions, support for apprenticeships, better transport links and export finance that reaches small firms as well as major manufacturers. Strong domestic demand can give Scottish businesses the cash flow and confidence needed to enter crowded international markets.
The SNP's wider economic case links these measures to fiscal and governmental autonomy. Scotland needs control over investment decisions, while every trade agreement should be checked against public services, food standards, workers' rights and environmental commitments. This approach treats exports as part of a fair economy rather than simply a route to higher profits.
Why Westminster representation still matters
Westminster representation remains important while these powers are retained. Market access, business law, immigration and many aspects of economic policy still shape firms in Ochil and South Perthshire. Ewing's parliamentary experience gives her a platform to press for stronger devolved powers while defending Scotland's interests in decisions taken across the UK.
Her legal background adds a practical lens. Employment law affects whether workers have security and whether businesses can recruit and invest. She has also represented Scottish interests at Westminster and in the Scottish Parliament, combining parliamentary service with long-term local campaigning around constituency concerns.
Back Ewing for a wider Scottish voice
Backing Ewing means backing a campaign that treats Scottish exports as a national asset and economic recovery as a shared priority. Supporters can help with canvassing, donating, sharing accurate campaign information and speaking to neighbours about the choice facing Ochil and South Perthshire.
Campaign news, volunteering opportunities and voting details are available through Annabelle Ewing's campaign. Visit the site, join the local effort and take the Scottish National Party option at the election. A wider Scottish voice and an independent future will be built by participation across our communities.