EU’s stance on Scotland’s re-entry remains encouraging. The co-chair of the European Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament has expressed a welcoming attitude, asserting that the EU would embrace an independent Scotland. Aligning with this, the Scottish government has unveiled its intentions to swiftly rejoin the EU post-independence, aiming for a prompt membership application. This piece delves into the EU’s stance on Scotland’s re-entry and explores the Scottish government’s proposed course of action for future relations with the EU.
Members of the European Parliament support Scotland’s accession to the EU.
The EU’s stance on Scotland’s re-entry has been supportive, but the Scots must decide on their independence first. German Green MEP Terry Reintke and numerous MEPs affirmed their backing for Scotland’s EU re-entry following the publication of the Scottish government’s document titled “Building a New Scotland: An Independent Scotland in the EU.” In contrast, the Conservatives and the Labour Party vehemently oppose any avenues enabling the Scottish government to conduct an independence referendum. Concurrently, consistent polling indicates a need for more majority support for independence within Scotland.
“The question on the independence of Scotland is for the people in Scotland to decide, and I will not take a position on it,” said the Green German MEP. “However, if Scotland were to become independent, they would be welcomed back with open arms into the European Union.” She added: “Of course, they would have to pass the same process as other candidate states, but since Scotland previously applied the full acquis, I expect this process to go much faster.”
Scotland cheated on Brexit?
Ross Greer, MSP, the constitutional spokesman for the Scottish Greens, expressed that Brexit has been immensely detrimental to Scotland. He emphasized that despite promises of “taking back control,” the UK government has exploited it to acquire extensive veto powers over Scotland’s elected Parliament. He reiterated that the Scottish populace previously rejected Brexit, maintaining the conviction that Scotland’s optimal future lies within the EU—a possibility only attainable through independence.
Positive feelings towards Scotland among EU members
Reintke said Europe had a “lot of positive feeling towards” Scotland, with the government being “reasonable and reliable” compared to the UK. German politicians also said that “leaving a light on the message sent to Scotland in the wake of Brexit was still a sentiment among a large majority of people in Europe.”
The Scottish Government’s plans for its future relationship with the EU
The latest report from the Edinburgh government details its strategy for future ties with Europe, with independence temporarily set aside. In a recent policy document, the pro-EU, pro-independence administration in Edinburgh highlighted the advantages of EU membership. These include securing access to the single market for Scottish businesses, joint access to EU free trade agreements, ensuring specific EU funding for Scottish agriculture, and reinstating the opportunity for young people in Scotland to participate in the Erasmus+ university exchange program, which had been unavailable after Brexit.
Level of support for independence among Scots
The Foreign Minister of Scotland highlighted that independence would grant Scotland its inaugural direct representation in European decision-making. This, in turn, would offer prospects for economic expansion within a market seven times larger than the UK’s, allowing Scotland to mitigate the detrimental impact of the UK’s severe Brexit, which continues to affect Scotland’s economy and communities adversely. A recent poll released this month indicated 40% backing for independence and 49% favouring remaining in the UK.
SNP program for independence from the UK
The Scottish National Party (SNP) says if it wins a majority of seats in Scotland at the next UK election, it will claim to have a warrant on independence negotiations with London, which it already has. However, a series of scandals and the natural erosion of almost 16 years in power have eroded the SNP’s once unassailable position at the top of Scotland’s political establishment, and a sea change is expected next year. Scottish Labor is widely predicted to take most of the SNP’s Westminster seats in the next UK election. Polls also show a surge in support for Labor in the Scottish general election, likely to overturn Edinburgh’s pro-independence majority.
The process of several years of membership in the EU
Since the Brexit referendum, much debate has been about the best future for Scotland. “The Scottish government believes we can build a better country through a powerful combination of independence and EU membership,” Robertson said. The Scottish government said an independent Scotland would follow the normal accession process known as Article 49, which would normally take several years. In the meantime, they seek a transitional arrangement to give Scottish exporters access to the single market.
The possibility of rapid re-entry of Scotland into the EU
“Having been part of the EU for over 47 years with a positive record of implementation of EU legislation and a high level of alignment with EU law” puts Scotland in a unique position to move swiftly through the accession process. A new policy paper examines whether an independent Scotland would adopt the euro as its currency. However, the paper reiterates the government’s position that a new Scottish currency will be in use after independence. Then, decisions may be made to join the euro later.
Why is Scotland attractive to the EU?
While Scotland would benefit from rejoining the EU in a range of areas, the new policy document outlines how the EU could benefit from Scotland’s membership as a new member state. This section highlights research and development in renewable energy technology to combat climate change, culture, education, commitment to the EU’s social justice agenda, and freedom and democracy. These are attractive features for a bloc trying to figure out how to deal with countries like Hungary and Poland or others that lean to the right and move away from shared EU values.
The lack of serious decision of the Scots for independence
In the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum, Scotland departed the EU alongside the rest of the UK. Despite the narrow margin by which Britain voted to leave, Scotland overwhelmingly opted to remain part of the bloc. Subsequent polls have revealed an increasing majority considering Brexit a misstep, leaning toward the belief that Scotland’s future should align with the EU. While Scots aspire to be part of the EU, their commitment to achieving this goal is different from pursuing independence as the means to achieve it.