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The EU may make an exception to Schengen as Scotland is in a unique position - it will claim (with some justification) that it is already in the EU (and outside

The EU may make an exception to Schengen as Scotland is in a unique position - it will claim (with some justification) that it is already in the EU (and outside Schengen) and the starting point for it should be the UK's current position. More interesting on the CTA is that it would involve signing up to many of the immigration policies rUK and Ireland have agreed to as part of that deal - that contradicts the more open immigration policy the SNP are selling as part of their pitch (which also includes the CTA).

pbhjpbhj 12y ago
Do you think the other member states of the EU, Spain say, want to set an easy precedent for regions of countries to become autonomous states and be accepted in to the EU? The UK is in the EU - a new country is being formed, that country is not in the EU. The Yes proponents appear to be answering all the tricky questions with "{smiling and waving hands} we're sure it'll work out in our favour". I'm waiting for HM the Queen to dissolve her Scottish parliament and put Salmond in the Tower! That'd spice things up a bit.
- Tyrannosaurs 12y ago
  Obviously not - Spain in particular (but not exclusively - there are plenty of other counties in the EU who face similar issues) won't want a precedent which could apply to, say, Catalonia. But that's a separate issue about Scotland joining full stop, rather than the terms on which they'd join. I suspect if Catalonia declared independence then the most sensible starting point for their EU membership is what covers them already (that is Spain's position). No-one really benefits from a position where unnecessary change and uncertainty is pushed onto newly formed countries. I agree that the yes campaign's approach to difficult issues seems to be essentially "don't worry your pretty little heads about it, it'll all be fine, we've got the oil". Short version: if it's a yes vote, it's going to be a big ol' mess for a while.

pbhjpbhj 12y ago

Do you think the other member states of the EU, Spain say, want to set an easy precedent for regions of countries to become autonomous states and be accepted in to the EU? The UK is in the EU - a new country is being formed, that country is not in the EU. The Yes proponents appear to be answering all the tricky questions with "{smiling and waving hands} we're sure it'll work out in our favour". I'm waiting for HM the Queen to dissolve her Scottish parliament and put Salmond in the Tower! That'd spice things up a bit.

Tyrannosaurs 12y ago
Obviously not - Spain in particular (but not exclusively - there are plenty of other counties in the EU who face similar issues) won't want a precedent which could apply to, say, Catalonia. But that's a separate issue about Scotland joining full stop, rather than the terms on which they'd join. I suspect if Catalonia declared independence then the most sensible starting point for their EU membership is what covers them already (that is Spain's position). No-one really benefits from a position where unnecessary change and uncertainty is pushed onto newly formed countries. I agree that the yes campaign's approach to difficult issues seems to be essentially "don't worry your pretty little heads about it, it'll all be fine, we've got the oil". Short version: if it's a yes vote, it's going to be a big ol' mess for a while.