Spain aren't the only country who have potential independence concerns and new membership does require all 28 countries to agree. My instinct is the same as you

Spain aren't the only country who have potential independence concerns and new membership does require all 28 countries to agree. My instinct is the same as yours - that ultimately it would happen - but I don't think it's just propaganda. It's fair to say that there are doubts about it happening (at the very least the timescales and mechanisms). Given that much of England don't want to be in the EU perhaps the easiest thing would be that we adopt Spain's ideal approach but instead of England, Wales and NI remaining in and Scotland reapply, Scotland get the "existing" place and England, Wales and NI can reapply if they wish... Edit: Englishman living in Scotland (for 7 years now with no intention of leaving whatever happens with independence).