‘Brexit challenges’ of Scotland in EU

THE CHALLENGES posed by the English border if an independent Scotland joins the EU should not be downplayed, academics have said.

The UK in a Changing Europe think-tank has published an extensive paper examining the issue of borders after Scottish independence.

It says some of the cross-border arrangements envisaged in the 2014 referendum will not be possible due to Brexit, as a new land border between the EU and the rest of the UK would be created.

Authors said any future prospectus for independence must confront the challenges of Brexit in order to ensure an informed debate.

The report was written by Professor Nicola McEwen of Edinburgh University and Professor Katy Hayward of Queen’s University Belfast. While Scotland would likely remain in the Common

Travel Area, they said a deal similar to the Northern Ireland Protocol would be unlikely.

Prof McEwen said the report makes a number of assumptions that Scotland holds an independence referendum, votes Yes, and negotiates to leave the UK and join the EU.

The report says the main trunk roads between England and Scotland would need some form of border control and inspection facilities, likely with “red” or “green” lanes for vehicles with goods to declare or not.

While Scottish goods would be opened up to the EU single market, trade with the continent would not be entirely “frictionless” due to goods having to travel through England.

During a discussion, Prof McEwen said people living in Scotland’s southern communities would need to be offered reassurance on the implications of the new international border.