Despite a decade of arguing about independence...clearly some people can still be swayed'Imagine there was a referendum asking the following question': 'Should Scotland be an independent country? ...Do you agree?. ...Yes or No?...Remain or Leave? ' Could the outcome of a second Scottish independence referendum depend on the precise wording of the ballot question? What … [Read more...] about Would Scots vote for indy? What’s the question…!
Scotland in Europe
Scotland’s borders and independence
Brexit has changed many of the calculations around the implications of Scottish independence in the European Union compared to 2014, not least the question of borders. That the Scottish Government has been loath to analyse the border question is not surprising – it’s a very tricky one. But now the UK has left the EU – and in just over four months will leave the EU’s single … [Read more...] about Scotland’s borders and independence
Can Scotland meet EU economic criteria?
Such is the binary nature of political debate in Scotland that views on the economic prospects for an independent Scotland to join the European Union are overwhelmingly Manichean. Either the country will sail through the accession process in a matter of months post-independence. Or the economic, fiscal and monetary obstacles will be so high it may never happen – and Scotland … [Read more...] about Can Scotland meet EU economic criteria?
Your country needs EU – a journey led by poets
Was it about the powers we gain or how we use them? Christine De LucaThe morning after, and the many more mornings to come…how do we feel? Who are we? What are we for? Writing before the 2014 Scottish referendum, Edinburgh’s then Makar Christine De Luca anticipated the dawn of 19 September and that morning’s mixed emotions. Her finely balanced poem ends with gentle rousing: … [Read more...] about Your country needs EU – a journey led by poets
Bitter truths in Brussels
"Scotland is going to leave on January 31 and, assuming no extension to the transition period, Scotland will be out, out, out by the end of the year." These blunt words from a senior European official, said without rancour or regret, encapsulate a harsh reality in the week that the UK quits the EU after 47 years, dragging Scotland with it, as Nicola Sturgeon says, against its … [Read more...] about Bitter truths in Brussels