Scotland Prepares to Escape ‘Hard Brexit’ With Second Independence Referendum
SputnikNews.com
19.12.2016
Should the Scottish National Party (SNP) dislike the conditions of the UK-EU negotiated Brexit deal, Scotland will call for a second referendum of its independence, aimed at remaining a member of the EU, Scottish officials said.
Kristian Rouz – Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that a ‘hard Brexit’ scenario with the UK losing access to the single European market could result in a second Scottish independence referendum. Should Westminster fail to negotiate a Brexit solution allowing Britain to retain its trade ties with the continent, including remaining part of the customs union, the Scottish government expressed confidence the people of Scotland would opt to separate from the UK, seeking ways to remain in the EU.
In the June 23 Brexit referendum, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted in favour of remaining in the common market, whilst Wales and England supported separation from the EU.
Meanwhile, Scotland, significantly dissatisfied with its position within the UK, had unsuccessfully attempted a separation from Britain in autumn 2014. Given the newly-emerged trends, including higher oil prices after a two-year energy depression, and Scotland’s heavy ties with the continent in terms of trade in goods and services and labour mobility, another attempt at Scottish independence might be successful, the Scottish National Party (SNP) assume.
“It remains my view, and that of the government I lead, that the best option for Scotland remains full membership of the EU as an independent member state,” Sturgeon claims. “Independence must remain an option for safeguarding our European status, if it becomes clear that our interests cannot be protected in any other way.”
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