Brexit could leave England as 'economic basket case' - MP warns

It is in Scotland's interests to prevent Brexit turning England into an 'economic basket case', SNP home affairs spokeswoman Joanna Cherry has insisted. The MP argued even if Scotland were to be independent it would be better for the country to 'keep England as close as possible to the single market and customs union as possible'. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has so far refused to consider either of these options as she tries to win support for her Brexit deal at Westminster. Ms Cherry said: 'Despite the fact that I think Brexit is a disaster for the United Kingdom, I think it is in the interests of Scotland and the SNP to keep England as close as possible to the single market and customs union as possible. 'It will make it easier for us to be independent if England is in the same overall union and market for us.'