Posted on 03/28/2019 8:38:10 AM PDT by Cronos
The Scottish parliament has just voted to stop the Brexit process by revoking article 50 unless there is an extension to allow for a second referendum on Brexit
"So what?," you might say. They can't legally force the UK government to do anything.
But there is something else deeply significant happening here. Read between the lines and you can see the case being made for another referendum on Scottish independence. as well as for another Brexit vote.
Today's vote was proposed by the Scottish Greens. The SNP added their own amendment which "calls on the UK government to stop ignoring the views of this parliament and overwhelming majority of people in Scotland who wish to remain in EU".
In that sentence you can see how they hope to build support for independence on the back of Brexit. By telling Scottish voters they are being ignored by a government in London which does not respect their opinion or their elected representatives.
..As the Europe and External Affairs secretary Fiona Hyslop said in the Holyrood chamber today: "A second referendum is an opportunity and not a guarantee for the wishes of Scotland to be respected.
"It is only by becoming an independent country that we can guarantee the votes of people in Scotland will not be ignored."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Ireland is discussing northern Ireland reuniting with it in the EU
As proud as they are, I doubt that very much.
Scotland hasn't been a serious economic engine for a very long time, if ever. For the most part, they're dependent upon government largess from the rest of the UK for their survival.
Now, if they can capture the North Sea oil fields as part of their national territory, it might work. That is, unless the Socialists controlling Edinburgh don't nationalize them, ala Hugo Chavez.
The Brits can make for the loss by picking up Ireland, which is actually discussing reuniting with NI into the commonwealth to avoid a hard border.
Correct. They want to do commonwealth, like Canada and Australia. Right now NI is like Scotland and Wales. “Picking up” not a good way of describing it I guess.
Just part of Commonwealth, like Canada, Australia.
Err.. the commonwealth has no trade benefits and little other benefits besides the commonwealth games. Ireland would like to reunite with Northern Ireland in the EU.
Do you have any idea (or does the DUP guy have any idea) what the commonwealth does today? It does literally nothing except act as a talking shop and to prepare for the commonwealth games.
No trade pacts, nothing.
Ireland joining the commonwealth only gives more room to spend money on talking.
Right, the commonwealth has no legal obligations.
I find it interesting that the idea is even considered given the history.
Note my opening comment here was merely that England would pick up Ireland, sort of like a consolation prize, for losing Scotland. Just a smart ass remark.
Ireland’s more like a booby prize.
Ah, I thought you were being serious :) The Oirish have no intention of going under the English thumb again - especially now when the GDP per capita in Ireland is more than in the UK
You assume that the pro-European no-voters will suddenly abandon the UK in preference for the EU, this is for the most part, not the case. The Scottish independence campaign lost on the back of losing the economic argument. Given that Scotland does well over 60% of its ‘external’ trade with the rUK and about 20% with the rEU the economic argument is non-existant. Scotland leaving the UK ‘common market’ to join the EU one is an absurd case to make and no self-respecting economist would propose it. In addition, a third of SNP members voted ‘leave’ because they believe in sovereignty on principle, and don’t want to leave one union simply to join the other and still not have sovereignty. Many I have spoken to have said they would boycott a Scottish independence campaign if it was a choice between joining the EU or remaining in the UK because neither would achieve Scottish independence. Others have even said they prefer staying in the UK to remaining in the EU.
Scottish governments own GERS figures still report that even with oil, Scotland is a net receipient of UK public spending. The oil argument is bunk, especially in a volatile oil market.
And yet polls show a slight lead for independence from the UK now. Sturgeon is waiting her chance
We’ll see what happens when they’re forced to make the economic case during the inevitable debates, especially if involves leaving the British ‘common market’.
True. Their argument will be that they are replacing it with the larger EU common market.
It all depends on the state of the UK economy from April onwards
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