According to the Foreign Policy, it seemed that the decision on the Scottish Independence became apparent in the 2014 independence referendum for at least “a generation. This issue became active again after the Brexit vote in 2016. Around two-thirds of Scots voted to remain in the European Union. SNP says that Scotland does not want to leave the European Union.
After COP26, Oil cannot be a reason or factor for Scottish Independence. Scotland may have to remain part of The UK because it cannot tackle its economic problems. Scotland’s 2020-2021 budget deficit amounted to almost $49.6 billion, or 22.4 per cent of Scotland’s entire GDP. This is significantly higher than the 14.2 per cent for the UK as a whole. One of the political issues in Scotland over the past year has been oil exploitation in the North Sea. Does Scottish Independence rely on oil revenues?
Cop26 and Scottish stance
According to The Times, Nicola Sturgeon denies using the Cop26 conference for Scottish independence push. Some authorities accused the SNP of renewing its independence campaign under cover of the forum through newspaper advertisements. For example, an ad in The Times said: “A nation in waiting welcomes the nations of the world.”
Regarding Oil extraction, as the guardian says, Sturgeon has to take a stricter stance on giving up oil and gas. Sturgeon had to sign up for a new global alliance that calls for an end date for oil drilling. Scotland’s first minister has said that her government was hardening its oil and gas production position.
According to the energy Voice, Sturgeon spoke on the opening day of the COP26 climate conference. She described oil and gas as the “most difficult” issue for Scotland to confront. She said that “tens of thousands of jobs” rely on the oil sector. However, this is not an excuse to avoid climate action.
The economic case against Scottish Independence
One case against Scottish Independence is that the United Kingdom makes a single market. According to the UK Parliament, the United Kingdom forms a single market of over 60 million people. There are no borders, customs checks, administrative or accounting procedures on the movement of labour, goods or services. Currency, regulation and most taxation are uniforms. In short, economic activity within the United Kingdom carries minimal transaction costs. This promotes the efficient use of resources between Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom single market has helped the Scottish financial services sector to grow. Therefore, some people may believe that Scottish Independence may damage the economy of Scotland.
According to the Guardian, Scotland’s economy would shrink by at least £11bn a year if it became independent. This would be two or three times as hard as the damaging effects of Brexit, a team of economists has forecast. The report is from the London School of Economics and the City University of Hong Kong.
No economic case against Independence
According to the Guardian, Kate Forbes says a national deficit of £36.3bn for 2020-21 does not undermine Scottish Independence. Kate Forbes is the Scottish finance secretary. She says that Scotland’s debt more than doubled to £36.3bn, or 22.4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020-21. This deficit is the highest yearly figure since devolution. However, it should not be an obstacle to making a case for Independence. Scotland’s finance secretary states that deficits had increased hugely across the world due to the pandemic. It is not an obstacle to making a case for Independence. Deficits worldwide have risen, and the highest debt is in Europe.
No Oil and gas: It does not stop Independence.
As stated above, according to the energy Voice, Sturgeon described oil and gas as the “most difficult” issue for Scotland. She said this on the opening day of the COP26 climate conference. She said: “Take oil and gas. All countries have complicated issues to confront. As Sturgeon rightly argues, Scotland is not the only country that faces difficulty after stopping oil and gas extraction. Besides, as Sturgeon says, this summit should not feel comfortable for anybody in a position of leadership and responsibility. It should feel bloody uncomfortable because nobody yet is doing enough, and that’s the reality.” What Ms Sturgeon says may imply a critical point. As long as other leaders do not give up oil, nobody can expect Scotland to do so.
Undoubtedly quitting oil and gas will cause damages to Scotland, as it does to some other countries. However, Scotland can make up for a part of this damage by other natural resources. According to the Schule, advocates of Scottish Independence say that oil and gas revenue will make Scotland a rich country. It will provide more than enough money for financial freedom. Moreover, Scotland has the highest potential in Europe to tap tidal and wave power. What the schule says is right. We should note that the possibility of tidal and wave energy is an advantage for Scotland.
Scotland’s determination for Independence
Scotland has a very positive attitude to the EU. Therefore, an independent Scotland may quickly become a new member of the EU. It may even get the chance to join the Eurozone. Remaining in the UK means that Scotland has to share the UK government’s anti-EU policies. Therefore, oil is not the only factor determining Scotland’s independence. The SNP and probably most Scottish people are determined to leave the UK.
According to Sky News, Nicola Sturgeon called Prime Minister Boris Johson. In this call, Nicola Sturgeon said another referendum on Scotland’s Independence from the UK was inevitable. She insisted that the referendum would happen when the COVID crisis ended. She also emphasized that the people of Scotland can choose their future. She made clear that a referendum question is now a matter of when not if.
