Scottish Independence

The Scottish people have a big decision to take. At least they know now that the rest of the UK will set them adrift as far as the pound is concerned - no matter how unfair this may seem.

An independent Scotland could also find it difficult to become a member of the EU. Spain might well veto Scotland's accession or severely delay it. The fact that Scotland was already a member, because it was an integral part of the UK, might not cut any ice with Spain who are trying to block Kosovo's membership of the EU. Spain does not recognise Kosovo as an independent state.

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/barroso-in-kosovo-warning-on-hopes-of-eu-membership.23445822

It is not a preposterous notion that Spain will baulk at Scotland joining the EU. This is the harsh reality of politics which is quite often not based on idealism.

Spain does not want to encourage the secession of Catalonia or the Basque country. This is the type of realpolitik that the voters of Scotland have to take into account. Scotland is a small country and in a weak position.

Even if Scotland is granted admission to the EU , it might well be forced to join the Euro along with all other new member states.

Scotland cannot rely upon the rest of Britain either supporting its entry to the EU or its entry without having to accept the Euro. Britain has its own difficulties with the EU and vice versa so why worry about an independent Scotland?


Scotland may well be forced to join the EEA and maintain its own currency -  in which case it will pay for the privilege of joining the European free trade area but having to obey EU rules without having a say in how those rules are set.


There is no doubt that Scotland will continue to prosper no matter what the outcome of the the independence vote. But the Scottish people must realise that they will become a small nation with very little say in international affairs. They will have no more power in Europe than Lithuania does. This is the painful reality and it cannot be glossed over by those who support independence.

Why not see the benefits of saying united with the rest of Britain? We are your friends and life will become more difficult outside of the family rather than at the heart of it.