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.
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!
@bodhipaksa @iani @cstross I distinctly remember, right before the official Brexit, EU officials saying they would not only have welcomed an independent Scotland in the EU, but that had they somehow become independent before Brexit they could have *stayed* in the Union.
Granted, talk is cheap and it could well be political posturing.
Charlie Stross
Bodhipaksa
Ian Irving 🇨🇦
Renato Ramonda