Only SNP offering route back to EU – McAllan

The Liberal Democrats, who vehemently opposed Brexit before and after the 2016 referendum, have refused to confirm their manifesto would include a commitment to seek EU membership.

Ms McAllan, during a visit to the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh, echoed Mr Swinney’s comments, saying a “generation of young people are being let down by Westminster policies”.

On the EU membership, the SNP minister told BBC Scotland News: “We are now the only party who is looking to return Scotland to the EU, who values our position in the EU and values everything that that brings to people in Scotland and young people.”

One of the SNP’s central aims is for Scotland to rejoin the EU as an independent nation.

Ms McAllan said that while that was not “going to happen tomorrow”, it would benefit Scotland financial and culturally.

She added that she benefited from the Erasmus scheme while she was at university, which allows students to study in other EU countries.

“It breaks my heart that young people don’t have that opportunity now,” Ms McAllan said.

“We’re the only party who is offering a route back to the EU.”