Rejoining the EU not so easy

As 2020 drew to a close my spirits were raised both by the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines and the shackles of the EU being released.

But by far the most amusing moment was when Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, announced to the EU that Scotland will be back soon Europe. I don’t wish to burst her bubble but I don’t understand her definition of ‘soon’.

Should the govemment grant permission for a second referendum on Scottish independence, and should the outcome be different from the 2014 decision to stay in the UK, it cannot be constitutionally binding on either the government or Parliament.

Nevertheless should the govemment accede to the presumed outcome of another referendum, then a lengthy leave negotiation process would commence, as we have just experienced, and we know from recent events how torturous that can be.

Alternatively, she could do as Ian Smith in Rhodesia 1965, an act considered illegal by the United Nations, and declare a Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

This may be problematical as I would guess the £18 billion that they receive from the public purse annually to pay toward health, education and transport would cease and the Bank of England would withdraw its support.

Scotland would then not have a currency as Scottish money never has been legal tender and is presently supported by Sterling.

They would then have to apply to the EU for membership, a process that can take up to l0 years. Scotland would be offering a country with reducing incomes as the demand for oil declines, no currency and dealing with a new deficit of £18 billion annually.

All considered I think it was a very ambitious statement and I think the light will have burnt out by then and probably be replaced by a realist.