In September 2014, Scotland held a referendum on whether to remain in the United Kingdom. Scotland had been frustrated for some time about London’s seeming indifference to its needs. Many Scots also believed that Scotland would be better off financially if it separated from the rest of the UK. In the end, however, with a heavy voter turn-out, Scots decided to remain (55%). Now with BREXIT, some are rethinking that decision.
In June 2016, Scots voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the European Union (62%) during the BREXIT referendum. However, the more populous Britain, along with Wales, tipped the vote toward separation (52%). This put Scotland in a bind between the benefits of UK membership and the benefits of EU membership. Many Scots felt they had been forced out of a relationship against their will.
In February 2019, the First Minister of Scotland (similar to a prime minister) was in the US and spoke with PBS’s Christiane Amanpour. The First Minister all but declared that Scotland will hold another referendum on UK membership after BREXIT takes place and things have settled down. If approved, Scotland could then apply for direct membership in the EU, something that separatists had touted as a benefit before the earlier referendum.
Whether Scotland can truly separate from the rest of the UK remains to the seen. In many in ways this separation would be even more problematic than UK separation from the EU—a marriage of 300 years is not easily ended. In any event, Scotland seems to realize the value of regional connection so much that it may be willing to trade a smaller partner for a larger one.
References:
PBS, Christiane Amanpour, interview with the First Minister of Scotland, 8 Feb 2019.
Wikipedia, “2014 Scottish independence referendum,” 12 Oct 2019.
Wikipedia, “2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum,” 18 Oct 2019.
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