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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
Howard Jones BS: scottish independence (419* d) RE: BS: scottish independence 05 Sep 14


The difficulty with the EU issue is that as well as the legal position there are political issues. From what I gather, the EU treaties don't envisage this situation where a part of an existing member becomes independent.

Some, including the President of the European Commission, have said that Scotland would have to reapply just like any new member and would be subject to the same rules as a country joining from outside, which include accepting the Euro. Others disagree.

It seems likely to me that there would be considerable political will on all sides to ensure a smooth transition for Scotland - the alternatives are too messy. However there will also be considerable political pressure within the EU to insist on it joining the Euro. There will also be opposition from Spain and other countries nervous about their own rebellious provinces. Perhaps it will all work out but it is by no means clear and Salmond's repeated assurances that everything will be all right seem to ignore reality.

Same with the currency - either Scotland has currency union with rUK, in which case much of its 'independence' is a sham, or it joins the Euro (ditto), or it goes it alone and has to support its own currency, which leaves it exposed.

If the Scots choose to accept these risks that is up to them, but to pretend they don't exist and to ignore or dismiss unpalatable alternative opinions seems unwise.


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