Скачать или смотреть ScotRef: Independent Scotland & The EU - Lord McConnell Evidence

Where we, (Scotland), stand constitutionally NOW doesn't look good at all - IF I've grasped the art of 'reading between the lines' correctly.

2014 IndyRef, for a variety of complex & personal reasons, was for some an easy YES or NO choice but for others a worrying time because it presented an uncertain change. Many 'Don't knows' were persuaded to vote NO by promises / vows of more powers AND the certainty, as believed then, of remaining in the EU.

Is there ANYTHING in the positions of either side in the IndyRef campaigns that has remained the same since 18th September 2014 apart from media & political spin!

a) 19th September 2014 Cameron announced EVEL
b) 2015 SNP 56 / 59 MPs but STILL a Tory government at Westminster: Austerity continues, UK debt still rising, renewal of Trident, HS2, Hinkley, .....
c) 2016 Scotland Bill delivers Smith Commission recommendations floor NOT ceiling; It certainly does NOT deliver 'Home Rule', 'Federal UK', 'Devo Max' or a Parliament that is listened to never mind 'one of the most powerful devolved Parliaments in the world'..
d) 2016 Westminster political parties go into hiding as the UK EURef votes BrExit, or at least England & Wales outvote Scotland & Northern Ireland.
I think a 2nd referendum on the BrExit Deal is no replacement for a 2nd IndyRef as we may be outvoted again but I would certainly welcome another LibDem suggestion of the introduction of an Independent Referendum Adjudicator for ScotRef / IndyRef2.
   • ScotRef: Independent Referendum Adjudicato...  

In broad but significant terms the UK BrExit Minister David Davis has stated that BrExit means:
1) UK is leaving the European Union
2) UK is leaving the single market
3) UK is leaving the customs union
Both the Conservative & Corbyn's Blairite Labour Party agree the UK should remain in the Single Market & Customs Union for a TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.

So now we may get a choice between two uncertain futures & the 'Fear Machine' has already been switched on & is spewing it's media & political spin all over again.

UK or EU?
I've taken a personal view that an independent Scotland outside of both of these POLITICAL UNIONS for a prolonged length of time is likely to be too bigger step to take in the one go.
Fear Machine - 'You won't be a successor state so that's exactly what will happen if you vote for independence now!'
Well yes but no..... As Lord McConnell's Evidence in this video states - 1:04 .....
This is easier to do BEFORE the UK leaves the EU & would cause far less disruption to Scotland than BrExit because we have zero tariff & 100% regulatory & legal equivalence with both the EU & UK.

1) Sovereignty & The Great Repeal Bill, (renamed - EU Withdrawal Bill):
UK - IF Scotland has ANY sovereignty after this Bill is passed I'd be more than surprised.    • BrExit: LibDem Spokesman Tom Brake MP - Ma...  
   • BrExit: EU Withdrawal Bill (Repeal Bill) K...  
   • BrExit: EU Withdrawal Bill (Repeal Bill) P...  
   • BrExit: EU Withdrawal Bill (Repeal Bill) K...  

2) Single Market & Trade:
UK - Access to & being IN the Single Market are NOT remotely the same thing.
'...any country that is not a member of the EU will be in a less favourable position than countries that are members.'
EU: Would there be problems trading with the UK for an independent Scotland in the EU?
No because there's a Free Trade Agreement of zero tariff & 100% regulatory & legal equivalence between the EU & UK    • ScotRef: Liam Fox - International Trade & ...  
Q1 Para 6 Single Market - Michel Barnier, EU Chief Brexit Negotiator
http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevid...
   • Видео  

3) Borders:
UK - Means borders with the remaining 27 countries in the EU & probably tariffs on imports & exports.
EU - There appear to be 'ways & means' to continue trading with RoI & have no 'hard' border, therefore this must also be true for Scotland IN the EU, EEA or EFTA Single Market & Customs Union.
There are currently differential agreements with the EU for Gibraltar, Isle of Man & The Channel islands.
   • GE 2017: Angus Robertson, Moray - Trying T...  
   • BrExit: Joanna Cherry - Scotland Common Tr...  
   • IndyRef2020: Joanna Cherry - Scope For BrE...  

4) Debt & Deficit
GERS is NOT a true balance sheet for Scotland as an independent country; Most of the data is apportioned as Scotland's share of UK income & expenditure rather than ACTUAL figures for Scotland.
Scotland could & would need to do things differently if independent. Currently the majority of economic levers are applied by Westminster & GERS reflects their competence or incompetence NOT that of the Scottish Parliament.
http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/20...
   • BrExit: University of Glasgow - Scottish &...  

In short - For the bulk of issues that affect our everyday lives - The Status Quo would be for Scotland to be independent in the EU & NOT a region of an austerity UK.

Important questions that need answeres still are in the areas of - Central Bank, Currency, Mortgages, Pensions & Insurance.