A LEADING expert on Europe has warned it is unlikely that an independent Scotland will have a “frictionless” border with England if the new state joins the EU.
Dr Kirsty Hughes (below), founder and director from 2017 to 2021, of the Scottish Centre on European Relations, noted The National’s front page yesterday on Twitter which reported on a motion to the SNP’s conference next month calling for a seamless border.
Responding to the report on the resolution, Hughes tweeted: “Brexit makes it clear that with current EU-UK trade deal (and indeed unless GB back in EU single market and customs union) that there will not be a ‘seamless’ Scotland-England border - it will look like the GB-Ireland (republic) border.”
A soft border exists between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic as the EU and UK governments agreed to the need to prevent customs checks along the border in keeping with the Good Friday Agreement, which paved the way for the peace process.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned MPs any border infrastructure could be targeted in a new bombing campaign by militant Irish republicans.
After becoming Prime Minister, Boris Johnson agreed to the protocol which allowed for customs checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The measure was controversial as he said he would not back such checks with hardline Unionists in Northern Ireland opposed to the move and arguing they effectively meant “a border down the Irish Sea”.
READ MORE: Demand for 'frictionless border' with rest of UK after independence
In July, Hughes said the Scottish Government and the SNP are “tip-toeing around” the issue of the border after independence.
In a blog post titled ‘Independence and the Border: Some Key Questions’, she said: “The border question has been mostly tip-toed around by the Scottish Government and SNP with a lack of serious analysis of its implications.
“The reason for this caution is clear: the impact of Brexit and the fear that gaining control of borders might rather be negative.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel