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Scottish nationals have two supra-national citizenships. One is UK citizenship, the second is EU citizenship. In democratic referenda over the past two years, Scots have voted clearly to retain both citizenships.
Unfortunately it is not possible to respect both democratic decisions of the Scottish people, due to a vote by other nationalities. So where you have democratic decisions which cannot both be implemented, which does democracy demand should take precedence?
It is not a simple question. The vote to retain EU citizenship was more recent and carried a much larger majority than the earlier vote. In addition it was made crystal clear during the campaign that it may require the overturning of the earlier vote. So on these grounds I believe the most recent vote must, as an exercise in democracy, have precedence.
In these circumstances the announcement by the First Minister that she is initiating the procedure on a new referendum for Scottish independence from the UK, in order to retain Scottish membership of the EU, is a sensible step.
Source: Craig Murray
Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Saturday June 25 2016, @03:11PM
That was because of the Spain/Catalonia issue. Once again, this is subtly different. Last time I didn't get a vote on Scottish independence because I live and work in England, and I wasn't particularly fussy what the outcome was. This time I will demand a vote.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1) by khallow on Saturday June 25 2016, @03:23PM
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 25 2016, @04:02PM
That was because of the Spain/Catalonia issue. Once again, this is subtly different. Last time I didn't get a vote on Scottish independence because I live and work in England, and I wasn't particularly fussy what the outcome was. This time I will demand a vote.
A lot of us in Scotland were pissed off about that, people in your position, born Scot I assume, living abroad who couldn't vote yet the 'white settlers' up here (500,000+ of the fuckers) could?
Lest we forget, the No vote won by 383,937 last time..
(Score: 1) by khallow on Saturday June 25 2016, @04:47PM
A lot of us in Scotland were pissed off about that, people in your position, born Scot I assume, living abroad who couldn't vote yet the 'white settlers' up here (500,000+ of the fuckers) could?
What's wrong with that? You ignore a huge can of worms here. If you're opening up the vote to the outside world, then why shouldn't the whole of the UK vote? Only True Scotsmen should be allowed to vote? Who gets to decide what is a True Scotsman?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 25 2016, @05:50PM
That's easy -- 9 out of 10 Scots agree that no true Scotsman would vote for continued subjugation to London.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday June 25 2016, @06:22PM
..Who gets to decide what is a True Scotsman?
Not who, but what. I give you those most radical of inventions..the Birth certificate and Passport, you know, the things which details wee things like place of birth and nationality, I'm sure someone somewhere [nrscotland.gov.uk] must have this info [www.gov.uk].. The passport only comes into play for Scots living/working abroad, as a means of verifying they are still full UK nationals for the purposes of the vote (if you've given up your nationality, even partially, then you've already made your choice..)
so, not so hard.
(Score: 1) by Pax on Saturday June 25 2016, @07:29PM
NAAAH.. it's a matter for people REGISTERED TO VOTE IN SCOTLAND at the relevant time..... simple as that.
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Saturday June 25 2016, @05:58PM
You assume that breaking up the United Kingdom only affects the Scots - hence why you believe that only Scots should have a vote. You are wrong. You have your own assembly and have been given, and continue to receive, increasing powers of self governance and management. The status of the United Kingdom affects all of those countries that are part of it. Members of each of those countries should also be allowed to have their say. Do you really believe that you can afford your own defence forces? Or do you want independence but also want someone else to protect 'your oil' interests? What about air or sea defence? Russian aircraft and naval forces are becoming increasingly active around the UK. I suspect that you will still expect the UK to provide a deterrence even though you seem increasingly determined to break all other ties. And if you think that you will never face any threat that might require forces to deter an aggressor then perhaps you should study your own history a little more closely. Sure, you can kick the nuclear deterrent out of Faslane Naval Base- and I am certain that you have something up your sleeve for the associated job losses - but you will probably need some form of defence force eventually. You can keep your Scottish Regiments, genuinely fine and professional soldiers all, but how will you get them to wherever they are required? RyanAir, North Sea Ferries, organise a coach trip? Nope, you will still expect an agreement for the remaining UK to help provide such things for you
Whose currency will you choose? The Euro - in which you will have even less say than you currently enjoy with Sterling, despite your haste to break that link. Or will you expect the Bank of Scotland to have sufficient assets to support your future ambitions? There are many economists who do not think that is possible. Or, of course, you can break the UK ties and then expect the remainder of the UK to provide 'our' currency so that you can also use it - and of course, you will want a say in interest rates and fiscal policy that will also affect us, but heaven forbid that we should want a say in what you want to do.
I'm afraid that we are, for better or for worse, far more closely linked than those who claim that your independence is only a referendum away believe. And your independence makes the assumption that every EU member will support you joining them - it only takes one to veto your request and you are stuck on your lonesome. I'm afraid that our recent actions may have muddied that puddle a bit. And, assuming that you are successful, I wonder how much you will have to contribute the the EU coffers each month for the privilege of becoming a member? I wonder also what quota of refugees you will be 'allocated' to meet the EU's humanitarian objectives? How much will you have to contribute for the next Greek bailout or for whichever country is next to find the going getting tough? The UK managed to negotiate special terms for these things - but potential new members will not be so lucky.
Whose passports will you carry? You do have a passport agency in Scotland, I take it? Oh, you don't... who will fund it and print your passports - or do you expect the UK to continue to do that because we are 'old friends'? The UK will probably do it - but it won't be for free.
The existence of the United Kingdom affects all of those countries that are part of it. Members of each of those countries should also be allowed to have their say. The referendum that you seek should not be called a referendum for Scottish Independence, but a referendum for the dissolution of the United Kingdom. Surely, Northern Ireland might also want a say based on recent voting trends. It will not affect Scotland alone - you will still need neighbours and friends in this world. A vote that includes us all and not just Scots, in my opinion, would be fairer.
My own view is that the referendum for Brexit has been held. Regardless of what either of us would prefer, the result is in and we should try to make the very best of this opportunity rather than sit and complain. We are where we are, it doesn't matter what we thought a few days ago, everything is changing whether we like it or not.