The Way Back In
On the back of polling showing Scotland now at 68% against Brexit, Kirsty Hughes (Director, Scottish Centre on European Relations) asks if “The SNP are against Brexit, so why aren’t they trying to stop it?“.
If you are trying to get your head around the alphabet soup of European institutions and the “way back in”, here’s a useful thread from Hughes on the process of re-entry for an iScot after the UK leaves. It’s a bit tecchy but really clear and useful: “If Scotland votes for indy, then what choices on EU/EEA/neither assuming UK does Brexit? A few thoughts/short thread”…
For both EU & EEA, quickest route back into either, once UK has left, is when there is no divergence from single mkt regulation i.e. during a single mkt/customs union transition. Once there is divergence, then have to converge again before joining either. 1/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
If iScotland wants to join EU, then whatever stage UK/Brexit is at, it can apply once indy & doesn’t need to transition via EEA unless EU advises that as best route. EU likely to offer tailored association agreement including moves back towards customs union. 2/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
If iScotland wants to be in EEA, must first join EFTA then EEA. All EU27 must agree to it joining EEA. If iScotland doesn’t offer access to waters for fishing, v unlikely to get EEA vote from EU27 – ‘no access to markets without access to waters’ (same for UK in Brexit talks) 3/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
Norway, Iceland etc influence on EU rules without vote is minimal (and no presence in European Commission & its crucial role in drafting legislation). Most European smaller countries have chosen to be in EU not EEA – from Portugal to Ireland to Finland. 4/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
EEA does though mean no pressure to join euro but leaves iScotland on margins of European decision-making and relationships. iScotland’s choice will also be affected by future UK-EU27 deal (assuming there is one) 5/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
If UK has a Canada-style deal with EU27, iScotland in EU or EEA faces border w England/rUK – but might be softer outside of EU customs union. Equally if a Labour govt went ahead w brexit but kept rUK in customs union, then iScotland can keep border open by being in EU not EEA 6/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
iScotland in EU by say 2025 wd have a vote & say on any future deals w rUK that still to be concluded eg financial equivalence. In the end, EU or EEA choice for iScotland depends on what sort of icountry it wanted to be and the role it wanted to play in Europe/globally 7/
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
If iScotland didn’t want to be either in EU or EEA then it could seek a Canada-style deal – best EU27 might offer is whatever deal they have by then concluded w UK; otherwise WTO rules. 8/ ends.
— Kirsty Hughes (@KirstyS_Hughes) December 29, 2017
I’m getting old and crabbit!
I can’t be alone in finding a series of twitter posts difficult to read when they replace a coherent article. Or, maybe I’m just lazy.
The most important point that she makes for me is
“In the end, EU or EEA choice for iScotland depends on what sort of icountry it wanted to be and the role it wanted to play in Europe/globally”.
I don’t particularly see any real, detailed debate happening here regarding this. Until there’s a sensible, informed debate (rather than “EU good/Brexit bad) then we’re not going anywhere. Unlike the SNP, I don’t see the EU as an entirely positive force. Economically, it’s obviously in a liberal, capitalist economy to be in it. However, look at the treatment of Greece, Catalonia or even Scotland and an insight into the real EU is made plain.
Debate required!
Yes debate is required. It was meant to just lay out in simple terms some of the processes and options – as I find this confusing! Thought this was helpful.
Of course when the UK leaves its first priority would be to spike Scotland and maximise divergence.
The repatriation of all EU powers to be reserved to Westminster with none to Scotland is part of that plan.
We have catch’d Scotland and will hold her fast is as true today as it was 300 years ago.
The biggest challenge for iScotland entering the EU isn’t regulatory or legal alignment, it’s setting up and running the required institutions for a number of years – particularly statistical office, central bank and currency.
But these would need to be addressed whether we want to become an applicant or not.
well said Crubag. that is the bottom line, not some mixed up knitting and twittering at a keyboard about the mighty EU.
Analysis from the Fraser of Allander Institute says that trade with the rUK supports around 4X as many jobs in Scotland as does trade with the EU.
https://www.sbs.strath.ac.uk/economics/fraser/20170420/Exports-and-Employment-Scotland.pdf
So leaving the UK for the purpose of rejoining the EU makes little sense, if you are the sort of person who cares about things like jobs.
Unless, that is, you have made a leap of faith and concluded that the trade with the rUK will continue as is. However, that would make Scotland ineligible to join the EU.
If Scotland is “in” and England & Wales are “out”, any company in England & Wales can put the goods they make or import onto a lorry and drive them into Scotland and now they are in the EU market, no records having been kept and not tariffs having been paid.
Imagine that, for some reason, Portugal and Spain withdrew from the EU. Do you think that Brussels would allow France to keep its southern border open like it is now?
Well, the economy of England + Wales is 60% larger than that of Portugal + Spain.
So the price of “the way back in” would be that Scotland erects barriers – regulatory, legal, and physical – between itself and its largest market.
If you are one of the Scots whose job this jeopardises, or if you care about a neighbour who is in that category, you are unlikely to vote for such a prospect.