Scottish Independence

Leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) to organise a second referendum on Scottish independence from the UK.

Mr Cameron quickly rejected a proposal from Scotland’s new First Minister and leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) to organise a second referendum on Scotland’s independence from the UK.
The autonomous Kingdom of Scotland was established in the ninth century and fought wars to maintain its independence from the Kingdom of England.
The two kingdoms formed a personal union in 1603 and were then ruled by the same rulers.
Due to economic and political weaknesses, the British and Scottish Parliaments passed the Acts of Union in 1707, establishing a political union known as Great Britain.

Pros
- Scotland would have more say over its political future.
- Several choices are currently being made in Westminster.
- Scotland is more liberal than the rest of the United Kingdom and could fight for policies that improve social welfare.
- It could also choose to stay in the EU.
- It could exploit some economic resources more freely, particularly North Sea oil.
- It would also have more resources and freedom to protect its culture and identity.
Cons
- Scotland may be forced to abandon the Pound (GBP) as its official currency.
- Even if it permitted use, maintaining the currency while having no authority over the Bank of England.
- It is in charge of monetary policy, which would be extremely risky.
- Both Scotland and the United Kingdom would lose political power on a global scale.
- Scotland could no longer be a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
- Scotland’s independence might spark a wave of separatist movements across Europe, undermining the continent’s political union and creating social and economic turmoil.
- Because Scotland is a considerably smaller market than the rest of the UK, many businesses may decide to relocate or relocate their headquarters to London.
- While many mixed families exist, social issues may be associated with the countries’ separation.
- The separation of the countries may also cause administrative issues.

Scotland’s economic case for leaving is weakening as oil prices fall and the country faces a massive fiscal deficit.
Scotland’s trade is primarily with the rest of the United Kingdom.
Every single member state would have to approve Scotland’s EU membership.
Countries like Spain, on the other hand, are unlikely to support it due to their long-running independence movement.

The independence of Scotland from the United Kingdom would have far-reaching consequences for England and Scotland.
As well as for the stability of the union as a whole.
According to the London School of Economics, Scottish independence might cost up to three times as much lost revenue as Brexit.
Negotiating a trade deal with the EU or re-entering the bloc will be expensive and time-consuming.
Scotland must also strengthen its defence capabilities and withdraw from British public funding systems.
And form independent trade and security agreements with other countries.
England and Scotland would have to examine the issue of establishing a physical international border.
In addition, accounting for the large number of people and products that already flow between the two countries.
The success or failure of a presumably independent Scotland would have consequences for the Northern Irish and Welsh independence movements, respectively.

Referendum
- The process by which proposed legislation is submitted to the electorate for approval via direct voting.
Initiative
- The process by which the people can propose legislation to the legislature for enactment.
Recall
- When a representative or an officer fails to fulfil his or her duties correctly, voters can remove him or her before the end of his or her term.
Plebiscite
- The method of gathering public opinion on any matter of public interest.
- It is commonly used to settle territorial disputes.

Pic Courtesy: The Parliament Magazine

Content Source: The Hindu