20-12-2019, 03:42
You are absolutely right, that has been my position for a while, and yes your opinion is different and only time will tell if either one of us are correct!!
I would say that the border issue cannot be underestimated, it is not a red herring, it will be a very complex issue that needs to be sorted to the satisfaction of the UK, Scotland and the EU. It will likely require a hard border unless we can prove the technology being spoken of is viable, a border that has had nothing but a simple Welcome sign for 300 years!! And that doesn't even take into account the current need to show a Passport to enter the UK. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will have to be worked out in fine detail before any agreement will be signed by all parties and I personally think that will be a very difficult negotiation and eventual solution.
There will be no formal statement from any Spanish officials at this point!! The last thing they need to do is stoke the already fractured situation they have within their own borders by even commenting on a possible split of the UK!!. Also, the method by which you eventually gain independence will also have a great impact on how the EU members receive any application to join. I have said this before, this all has to be done with no possible legal challenge to the authenticity of first a referendum and then an agreement, something the Catalans should have done. But the veto for any new member exists for every existing member of the EU so I called it unknown because we do not know what the political landscape will be when this is being negotiated.
If the majority of Scottish residents want independence then I am all for it, I would prefer you stay part of the UK but that is not my decision. But there will be no magic wand to undo over 300 years of union, it will be a very tough and long negotiation and due to the nature of the Union there will not be a "hard Brexit" type option, it will have to be negotiated.
I would say that the border issue cannot be underestimated, it is not a red herring, it will be a very complex issue that needs to be sorted to the satisfaction of the UK, Scotland and the EU. It will likely require a hard border unless we can prove the technology being spoken of is viable, a border that has had nothing but a simple Welcome sign for 300 years!! And that doesn't even take into account the current need to show a Passport to enter the UK. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will have to be worked out in fine detail before any agreement will be signed by all parties and I personally think that will be a very difficult negotiation and eventual solution.
There will be no formal statement from any Spanish officials at this point!! The last thing they need to do is stoke the already fractured situation they have within their own borders by even commenting on a possible split of the UK!!. Also, the method by which you eventually gain independence will also have a great impact on how the EU members receive any application to join. I have said this before, this all has to be done with no possible legal challenge to the authenticity of first a referendum and then an agreement, something the Catalans should have done. But the veto for any new member exists for every existing member of the EU so I called it unknown because we do not know what the political landscape will be when this is being negotiated.
If the majority of Scottish residents want independence then I am all for it, I would prefer you stay part of the UK but that is not my decision. But there will be no magic wand to undo over 300 years of union, it will be a very tough and long negotiation and due to the nature of the Union there will not be a "hard Brexit" type option, it will have to be negotiated.