If this report in The National is right, then the UK government DOES have the option of a differentiated deal for Scotland - if we stay in the UK and leave the EU. The EU are open to talking about it as part of the Brexit talks.
The proverbial ball is now within WM's court. If they were half smart, they'd invite the devolved assemblies NOW to participate in direct talks with the EU after Article 50 is invoked. If the WM parliament were remotely serious about the devolution settlements for London, Northern Ireland , Wales and Scotland, then we would all be sending delegates into those talks,...not be left sitting in the room outside. Will they be that smart? Will they take that path?
The proverbial ball is now within WM's court. If they were half smart, they'd invite the devolved assemblies NOW to participate in direct talks with the EU after Article 50 is invoked. If the WM parliament were remotely serious about the devolution settlements for London, Northern Ireland , Wales and Scotland, then we would all be sending delegates into those talks,...not be left sitting in the room outside. Will they be that smart? Will they take that path?
We have to urge them to take that path. We have to REALLY try. If (when) they don't and we get dragged into Meltdown Brexit along with everyone else (except the City...they'll get protection), it's decision time. If there is to be an announcement of Indy ref 2, it MUST be after we've really tried, as Scotland in the UK, to get a differentiated deal that takes proper account of devolution. Because it is devolution that is a necessary casualty of a Brexit that refuses to take it into account.
We should also not underestimate the alarm of our neighbours who share the values of a progressive, open, international society. If there is a way to work for a British solution to the imminent British catastrophe, we should make every effort to find it. And a differentiated Brexit is at least a better way of going forward than the undifferentiated "free" market hellbroth of off shore money laundering that seems to be the proffered future. We still want to be friends with these people, whatever constitutional shape we end up with. We mustn't just desert them or seem eager to do so.
We have to play this very carefully. Can you imagine losing a second indyref, and then being entirely at the mercy of an emboldened UKIP flavoured Tory Government for the next 20 years?
The moment to choose our own path...of independence and application for continued EU membership as an Independent state, is then and only then. This is for the very simple reason that if we can demonstrate clearly to those who voted both the Remain in the EU AND to remain as a devolved Scotland in the UK that it is devolution that is the casualty of Brexit...that Brexit will drag us forever FULLY into Toryworld...that we have a chance of converting 60% for the EU into 60% for a progressive, inclusive, international Scotland.
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