Has Spanish Internal Politics Scuppered Scotland's Hopes Of Staying In The Eu?

[sandyRoe]

The Spanish authorities don't want any precedent set by Scotland to be used by the Catalans.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-dealt-serious-blow-8310110#FZmB17PAbHrI6v4W.97

[Old_Geezer]

It has tended to seem to me that the Scots tend to be overrepresented in cabinet whenever I've checked. Hadn't realised the Catalonian presence was equally dismissed.

[jim360]

whiskeryron, 17.27 today.

[naomi24]

Jim, Oh, I see. Just one comment.

OG, the Scots haven't been dismissed. Why are you saying that?

[jim360]

One comment here, Naomi, but also TTT has been busy elsewhere demonstrating his total lack of understanding of concerns of people living in Scotland, so it's wider than just the one comment.

At the moment I don't expect Scotland to become independent, but nevertheless it's hard to see how the question can be regarded as settled now that its strong wish to remain in the EU conflicts with being part of the UK that's on its way out. At the very least, the question has to be addressed as to how the two positions can best be reconciled. I think the answer to that is for the UK to leave the EU in as insignificant a way as possible (which, to be sure, is the position I would have had anyway). This may not quite be what was intended by people wanting to leave, though.

At any rate, there is no point in pretending that the next few years will be filled with uncertainty at almost every level of the UK's structure.

[Gromit]

It is nonsense to even suggest Scotland stays in the EU if Art.50 is implented by the United Kingdom, to which Scotland belongs. It would be nonsense for the Catalans to negotiate a deal of their own. Doubt that is why the Spanish object, it is just a bonkers proposition.

[naomi24]

I don't think anyone is, or every has, pretended that there won't be uncertainty. We know that. The best thing for Scotland now would be to push for another referendum on independence - but success in that is no guarantee of their acceptance into the EU. Far from it.

[jim360]

"...but success in [a new independence referendum] is no guarantee of their acceptance into the EU. Far from it."

Indeed not -- for the time being I'm going to watch, rather than go one way or the other. For the record, even being in a position where I'd consider voting to break up the UK is a surprisingly scary proposition. I had never thought it possible. Whether this says more about the new world we live in or just my perception of it, who knows? I hope it doesn't come to that, anyway.

[retrocop]

That stupid insignificant woman was embarrassing today at her Brussels news conference.
She wasted her time going there and was gushingly grateful they had the courtesy to show an open door and had every sympathy for her.
It was like a little schoolgirl coming home to Mummy and Daddy after a school trip to the Zoo.
" I then saw Mr Junker who was very sympathetic and then I went to see the parliament and we heard about the UK leaving and they said there was lots and lots to be discussed" blah blah and blah.
Silly little bisom came home with an empty bag of monkey nut shells and achieved F.A. She knew that if the UK leaves then Scotland goes as well.
Does she really believe she wields influence?

[Hypognosis]

Ha ha ha! I was thinking about Catalonia while watching a Newsnight piece about Scotland's next moves.

[naomi24]

Jim, your posts are very contradictory. Yesterday you said ….

//I'm one of them [who wants Scottish independence]. Ain't the only one either.//

… and now you’re saying ....

//for the time being I'm going to watch, rather than go one way or the other.//

Do you actually know what you want?

[murraymints]

Dear Nicola should shut up..what an embarrassment yesterday's performance was...we have no central bank..no currency of our own..and certainly not in a position to become self sufficient and satisfy the demands from EU financially..even Soapy has stated in public that she knows it is impossible... time to listen hen..good idea..get back to your husband..have a family..grow up and get real !

[murraymints]

and it was not just Spain that said adios....au revoir from France too !

[NoMercy]

Nicola Sturgeon should get real. How easy does she think it would be to make Scotland an Independent country.

Could Scotland, for instance, afford the astronomical cost of placing a Scottish embassies

[NoMercy]

*placing Scottish embassies in every other independent country?

[jim360]

I just checked back and I think that you are slightly misinterpreting my first post. I don't want Scottish Independence definitely not, I'm just more open to it. When I said "I'm one of them", I meant, I'm one of the people who has cause to reconsider the question, not that I am now definitely supporting Scottish independence. Hope this clarifies things.

[jim360]

definitely now*

[naomi24]

Jim, okay, but it all sounds very contradictory to me. You are one who has cause to reconsider (your post at 17:36 Wed), but you definitely don't want Scottish independence, in which case there's nothing to reconsider.

[jim360]

It might well be contradictory. Before I noticed that you'd slightly misinterpreted my first post I was going to explain how the contradiction probably reflects my state of mind at the moment, which -- although calmer now -- is still a bit shocked by the recent result. No doubt over the next few months or so I'll flip-flop many times before settling down, but I don't think this is too unreasonable.

The reasons I wouldn't want Scottish Independence may be overridden by the practicalities of the deal that we get. Or not. But I don't think, either, that it's unreasonable to wait and see.

The result on Thursday showed a stark divergence between political views north and south of the border. It seems to stand to reason that the question as to whether Scotland and England belong together ought to be asked afresh, even if I do end up reaching the same answer.

[naomi24]

Jim, I don’t really see how Scotland would benefit from independence at all, and an independent Scotland’s successful acceptance into the EU is debateable, but considering the predicament they are in I think they should have another referendum. If the vote goes Nicola’s way next time, she can take it, and the Scots, from there – and good luck to her – and them - with that.