A REFERENDUM on joining the EU could be held in an independent Scotland under plans being discussed by the SNP, The National has revealed.
The proposals would see a vote held on the terms of a membership deal negotiated between Scotland and the bloc – the idea is backed by SNP policy convener Toni Giugliano and party president Michael Russell is open to it.
Some 62% of Scots voted to remain in the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum, and this has long been used as an argument for independence by SNP campaigners.
Speaking in April 2021 ahead of the Holyrood election, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon indicated she wouldn’t want an EU referendum after Scottish independence – and it would instead be assumed that Scots backed the country joining the bloc.
However, six years on, it’s thought the new proposals could be an effective way of appealing to Euro-sceptics who are pro-independence.
Asked how the SNP would respond to opposition politicians criticising them for pursuing “too many referendums”, Giugliano said: “These are big constitutional questions and it is fair to have an referendum on such matters.”
Kirsty Hughes, an expert on Europe and founder of the Scottish Centre on European Relations think tank, said it is “typical” for countries to hold a vote before joining the EU.
But what do National readers think of the idea? Below, you can vote in a poll and submit your own views on the issue. These comments will be used in a later article.
Would you support holding an EU referendum after securing independence?
There have been conversations within the SNP about putting EU entry to a vote after Scottish independence is secured. It is backed by the party’s policy convener Toni Giugliano, and party president Michael Russell is open to the proposal. Supporters of the idea see it as a way of appealing to Euro-sceptics who are pro-independence. However, it could be controversial among some Remain supporting Yessers who could see it as a further obstacle to EU entry. What do you think of the idea?
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
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