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Scotland's leader seeks new independence referendum

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"The Scottish leader also warned that May’s Conservative Party had consolidated power and may govern until 2030 because of weakness in the Labour Party opposition."

She's not wrong about weakness in the Labour Party but I'd say a Labour/Liberal pact would come into play well before 2030. Warning about 20 years of Tory role is enough to make anybody with a shred of morality fill their trousers.

Play on this theme, Brexit and the visceral dislike/hatred of the English and she could get the out vote.

Oh, and put together a clear plan and not WTF babble about what currency you're going to use this time.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

brick wall of intransigence

May's arrogant stance is setting her up for the hardest of red white and blue Brexits. There's always the special relationship with Trumptopia for Runt Britannia to fall back on, I guess.

After leaving the EU, expect GM foods, hormone-laden beef, and all kinds of concoctions labelled cheese.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I've no idea what to vote... torn. :(

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The Sturgeonator - Aye'll be back, gie ye gam ay thrones.ye soothern numpty.....

Two years of The Sturgeonator on your case is poetic justice for Theresa May and Philip Hammond, both quintessentially infuriating examples of an ingrained superior haughtiness of the Grammar School head boy and girl, or worse, ringers for John Wyndham child cuckoo's who survived to adulthood.

No surprises here though, I stayed awake, eyelids jacked up with matchsticks anticipating a games of article 50 ping pong between the Lords and the commons, alas they're all a bunch of thin yogurts.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon certainly precision timed her retaliation to the “brick wall of intransigence.” However the SNP will need a convincing plan of action to answer some awkward and searching questions.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What on earth makes Sturgeon think that an independent Scotland would automatically be eligible for EU membership?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Scotland, England were two independent countries actually after the demise of the British Empire. It took 72 years for the people to realize this fact.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

European Commission spokesman, Margaritis Schinas, again reiterated that Scotland would have to apply and as a independent country go through the lengthy process of joining the EU. Scotland would also have to meet stringent treaty conditions on economic stability, and a clear timetable for monetary Union, any areas of political coordination and governance in the areas of fiscal stability and growth pact would also need to be settled.

This is just not a feasible, or achievable even in a decade.

Foreign Minster Federica Mogherini has also stressed without UK (EU member state) presenting a clear political and economic case, feasibly during exit negotiations, a number of member states will not withdraw their objection under Barroso doctrine rules.

Scottish First minster Nicola Sturgeon senses this is the SNP's final opportunity to achieve independence. Any future date that Prime Minister Theresa May government agrees will probably be at least 18 months after Great Britain exits the EU, with or without agreement on a trade deal. Stating firmly it is in the Unions interests, that the Scottish electorate understand full what Indyref2 means both economically and politically.

For the foreseeable future, the UK, on a yes vote, would also need to agree support for Scottish social funding through the exchequer, until agreement was found on currency, and the division of asset/debt liabilities.

I wonder what motivates Nicola Sturgeon loathing of the English. I can understand the political gulf, if a Scottish voter, and Indyref2 was isolated to a political decision I would vote to leave. Nicola Sturgeon is staking her whole political career, that is not a logical decision, It all reeks of angry indignation. Always leave room to evaluate, and come back to fight another day.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Full EU membership would be some ways away, but an urgent trade deal with full single market access is very realistic. Not even Spain could block it because it would be only need a qualified majority to be approved by the EU institutions.

I support Scottish independence, but I want to talk about how and why the UK has backed itself into a corner where they are seemingly forced to keep granting Scotland referendum after referendum after referendum. Why is it that they cannot say 'you already had your chance' and just refuse Scotland's demands like Spain does to Catalonia?

Just like Brexit, the answer is another great example of the British sticking two fingers up at the rest of the world without carefully thinking through the consequences, and having it come back to bite them decades later. The reason is the Falkland islands. The vast majority of international lawyers agree that they rightly belong to Argentina and that the settlers are not a 'peoples' entitled to self determination as defined by international law. The UK, on the other hand, took the position that the Falkland islanders were a 'peoples' simply because they saw themselves as such, and therefore did have the right to self determination. No other country except Canada agreed. As we all know, the British then arranged a Crimea-style referendum on the Falklands where everyone voted to remain British.

So the UK has few options after taking such an extreme position on the Falklands referendum. To deny the Scots perpetual referendums would be a violation of the UK's own (albeit unusual) interpretation of international law as long as the Scots see themselves as a 'peoples'. It clearly begs the question; Are the Cornish, the Welsh, or Londoners also entitled to a referendum? The answer seems to be yes as long as they simply self-identify as a 'peoples'.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It makes sense; a lot of Scots voted against leaving the UK because they would have had to leave the EU as well. Seeing as now the UK is leaving the EU anyway, this would remove a major objection many Scots initially had. Also, seeing as we have entered the age of punitive politics, I would assume a good portion of Scots would vote for independence out of spite towards England

2 ( +2 / -0 )

One minute they want independence and the next to be a part of the EU. Give your heads a shake Scots. Keep your sovereignty. You pretty much established Canada I`m sure you can look after your own.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I read earlier that PM Theresa may has officially ruled out legislation for second referendum for Scotland independence until after the EU exit negotiations have been fully settled. The choice of words and phasing could point to 2021 or later.

The Article 50 bill I believe is in the process of royal assent, as peers caved in last night. It is sterling that is again venerable market fluctuations. Prepare for a sub 1.20 wobble. Also Euro/Dollar pairing and Dutch state treasury 10 yr if government get ousted.

There is a whole political storm brewing on a number of fronts, economic, political you name it, that will converge into a make or, break all or nothing scenario for the EU commission, parliament.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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