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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 frojack on Saturday June 25 2016, @07:08PM
Like much of the press coverage, your little rant is far too breathless.
Nothing has changed on the ground.
The UK donated far more money to the EU than they ever got back in any form whatsoever. The current market tantrum is just a pissing contest by EU proponents swilling their scotch and proclaiming "we'll show those bastards who's boss".
But UK industries are on sale right now for something in excess of a 10% discount, and only SJW money would avoid that bargain.
I agree there will be a realignment, but it doesn't stop at the UK's shoreline.
There is serious discussion in at least three EU countries of their own Exit votes, and if the UK successfully fights off the EU's attempt to flush their (UK's) economy down the crapper, then these demands for exit votes will only grow stronger. I expect to see at least ONE more exit votes succeed, and probably 2.
The EU probably needs a reboot - it seems to be infected with a systemd-like virus.
In the mean time, Britain, Scotland, Wales, (and maybe NI, or even Ireland) should probably think of renegotiating their relationship among themselves (if the British can ever swallow their pride) to something along Canadian or Australian lines. After all, the islands aren't going to move.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by n1 on Saturday June 25 2016, @07:46PM
I did say it was a little rant. And nothing has changed on the ground because it's only been 1 business day since the result and the government already kicked the can down the road until October.
I have skin in the game, i'm based in the UK but nearly all business i'm involved in has connections across the world, very little if any is based around internal investment, and those that are UK based entirely, are bracing for a storm and cutting costs. Just because 60% of my business comes from outside the EU doesn't mean i'm looking forward to a 20% cut on-top of the currency devaluation and increased costs to trade in that market.
Where i'm sitting, this is not good. The industries i'm involved in have been cost cutting regardless of where the funding is from, margins are being squeezed in the stagnant economy with only low energy costs keeping a lid on things. I know investment has been withheld because they were waiting on the outcome. The outcome is not something people around London were really hoping for. My concern is whatever happens, the general population are the one's who will lose out.
As I said, it could all end up great. But while construction projects stall and investors are nervous, waiting to see if the EU dissolves or not and what kind of access the UK will have. The coming months to years are far from certain, could be good, could be bad.
But the banks and the landlords are not going to wait on payments while things work themselves out and the foreign money decides the UK is still a safe haven.
This is not based on what i've read in the papers or heard from the politicians, this is based on my own experiences as a small business owner and discussions with people who make investment decisions.
Will all this make the £18bn EDF Hinkley Point project any cheaper?