SofĆa Barreto Ojeda and SebastiĆ”n Cotes OntibĆ³n
April 28, 2022
Scotland faces a complex escenery in the national arena. For the past couple of months, Scotland has shared its intentions to claim independece from the United Kingdom. There are several reasons to claim this decision: Scotland does not feel the United Kingdom is making wise desicions overall. This not only confronts the particular interests of Scotland but those of England. Having this in mind, the following state set: Scotland can pass a bill that calls for an independece referendum or negotiate with UK to come to new terms. Having this in mind what is the best Scotland can do?
The best option for Scotlandās Government is to pass a bill that calls for an independence referendum, with all the guarantees, and where all parties commit to respecting the result. All the guarantees means that the bill must have the approval of the British Parliament.
Why should the new referendum be held?
On several occasions Scotland has shown interest in passing a referendum to call out independence. Although it hasnāt had any success, the independence movement has slowly won popularity among the public and private sectors since 2016. People have expressed that, since Brexit, Britain has motivated the Scottish to pull forward the referendum for independence. Not only because Scotland had agreed certain terms and conditions with London about Brexit, but also because on many occasions Westminster dismissed and disregarded Scottish initiatives and opinions. As well, there are complaints about the centralism the British parliament holds. This has led the Scottish to reject the management of power and decision making from the British.
In the DW documentary and The Telegraph, it can also be seen how different the Scottish feel from the British, they do agree to share the geographic location, but historically both nations have differed from each other. āThe diversity that brings together a nationā speech is no longer convincing for the Scottish. Neither does the (weak) intention to ādemonstrateā the UK is a federal state. Scotlandās autonomy can be seen as an example of a potential multinational federalist state. McGearry and OāLeary express that it is through the success of nationalism that federalism can be built, and it was accomplished once in the United Kingdom(2004). However, peopleās testimonies and practices nowadays reflect that the union of the state is rather poor, and there is no space to think about a federal government.
Scotland could pass the bill at the local level, would that be enough for independence?
Nevertheless, the referendum needs to follow some requirements before. On this topic, Scotland needs the approval of the English Parliament. It is true that Sturgeon could pass a referendum bill at the local level without consulting London, but the legal panorama would be obscured. An unilateral call of independence would not be favourable for Scottish interests: they would be risking to be like Catalonia. The Autonomous Region of Spain in 2017 made an independence referendum without the approval of the central Government. Although the results were 92% / 8% in favour of independence, the referendum was not enough to make Catalonia a free country. Actually, Catalonian leaders ended up being persecuted by Spanish law. Due to the European Union not willing to accept a country with an undefined legal status, an uncertain legal situation would be a major inconvenience if Scotland wants to join the European Union.
What about after?
Scotland must be aware of the challenge it brings to be independent, not should only think about what if that happens. After Brexit, joining the EU became one of Scotlandās main arguments to be independent from the UK. Yet, it is easier said than done. Some countries of the EU would reject the fact that, after an independence, Scotland would easily be a part of them. This can be taken as an incentive for secessionist movements. As a consequence, there could arise tensions and instability within European countries.
Then, when can it be done?
Although the covid crisis kind of shut down the process, Sturgeonās pressure to call out a referendum is not gone. Boris Johnson expressed in a letter āYou and your predecessor made a personal promise that the 2014 Independence Referendum was a āonce in a generationā voteā (Johnson, 2020); responding to Sturgeonās demand for a new referendum. Nonetheless, since Sturgeon herself agrees that āScotlandās future should be in Scotlandās handsā (Channel 4 News, 2019), it is not after the legal panorama is clear and the negotiations with the British Parliament are done with all the guarantees that the referendum can be called.
References:
BBC News. (2021, march 24). Devolution: What is it and how does it work across the UK? Geraadpleegd op 29 april 2022, van https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54974078
BBC News. (2021, march 24). Devolution: What is it and how does it work across the UK? https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54974078)
Could Brexit lead to Scottish independence and a united Ireland? (2019, 27 november). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igJgNluKzaE
Johnson, B. J. (2020, 14 january). Letter to Nicola Sturgeon. Parliament of London. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/857586/Nicola_Sturgeon_20200114.pdf
Nicola Sturgeon: Any attempt to block a second referendum would show the UK is no longer a partnership of equals. (2021, 27 August). Holyrood Website. https://www.holyrood.com/comment/view,nicola-sturgeon-any-attempt-to-block-a-second-referendum-would-show-the-uk-is-no-longer-a-partnership-of-equals-17719
Scotland: A future outside of the United Kingdom? DW Documentary. (2021, 4 mei). Video. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-fUi8UX_Hs
Scottish independence: The Union has never been in a more perilous state. (2021, 22 juni). Video. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxfbESCyXG0
