Charlie StrossJul 5, 2023

Arguments for/against Scottish independence:

Every single argument against Brexit—except ONE—also applies in miniature to Scotland leaving the UK (a smaller nation leaving a larger free trade zone).

The exception was the Tory complaint that laws in the UK were dictated from afar by an unfriendly foreign power.

In the case of Scotland, s.35 orders, reserved issues, and Henry VIII orders prove this assertion to be true—a right-wing English nationalist party has a choke-hold on Scottish policy.

Show threadCharlie StrossJul 5, 2023

If we (Scotland) get independence, the near-term economic disruption will be ghastly.

But in the longer term, we'll no longer be run from afar as a Tory-controlled colony: there will be scope to improve things, if we can do so.

Control over immigration policy means we could import the skilled workers we're so short of, and regain freedom of movement with the continent. Control over trade and fiscal policy means we could rejoin the EU and adopt the Euro. Frictionless trade! Stable currency!

Show threadIan Irving 🇨🇦Jul 5, 2023
@cstross so without a UK veto on joining, and maybe passing a cluster of bills into law, are there any impediments to joining ETA or EU? It certainly helps being part of a former member country. What is a reasonable range of time?
Show threadCharlie StrossJul 5, 2023
@iani Don't know, but keep your eye on Ukraine (which is moving towards joining).
Show threadhessi
@cstross @iani This was discussed in the German press some time ago. Main arguments against an independent Scotland joining the EU were potential vetoes by Spain, Italy and other EU countries with an independent movement (Catalan, Bask, South Tyrol etc), mainly to discourage their respective regions from seeking independence and joining the EU „again“.
Don‘t know how realistic this scenario is, but it‘s… possible.
Jul 5, 2023 at 10:22pmWeb