Can Scotland Really Stop Britain From Quitting the EU?

As Britain tries to recover from the shock of the Brexit referendum result. With its economy and its political scene in a turmoil.

And its racist bigots on a rampage.

I'm sure many of its REMAIN supporters were glad to hear Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, vow to try to block Britain from divorcing the European Union.



By withholding the consent of Holyrood the Scottish Parliament.

Nicola Sturgeon has suggested that the Scottish parliament could block the passage of legislation necessary for the UK to leave the EU. 

“If the Scottish parliament is judging this on the basis of what’s right for Scotland, then the option of saying we’re not going to vote for something that’s against Scotland’s interests, that’s got to be on the table. You’re not going to vote for something that is not in Scotland’s interests.”

But can Scotland really stop Britain from breaking away? The answer from legal experts seems to be no.

“Holyrood has no power to block Brexit. It is not clear that a legislative consent motion would be triggered by Brexit, but withholding consent is not the same as having the power to block. The Scottish parliament does not hold the legal power to block [the UK exiting the EU].”

But then if you read what Sturgeon actually said, she doesn't claim it can. All she is saying is that Scotland will fight the breakaway with every instrument at its disposal. And for two very good reasons.

One, the EU has been good for Scotland. Its left leaning SNP government has been able to mitigate the effects of the brutish economic policies of the Westminster Cons. So there is less anger and despair than there is down south. 

The country is also more homogenous than England and attracts only a tiny fraction of  the migrants and immigrants that country does. So xenophobia and racism aren't a major problem.

And Scotland has for reasons of history and culture, always been more open to the continent than many of the residents of Little England, who John Oliver poked fun at a few days ago.

While making the argument that Britain would be crazy to leave the European Union.




Which has always been the position of most people in Scotland.

And two, the other reason Nicola Sturgeon is vowing to fight the brexit result as hard as she can, is because she knows that if she tries and fails, that can only advance the cause of Scottish independence.

For if the Scots are already so angry that their referendum votes counted for nothing, they now support independence in greater numbers than ever before.

A Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times indicated an almost direct reversal of the result of the 2014 referendum, with 52% in favour of independence, up seven points, and 48% against, down seven points.

A poll for the Sunday Post that asked respondents how they would vote if a second referendum were held tomorrow, revealed 59% would vote yes to independence, 32% no and 9% undecided.

It also found that 73% of under 25s backed independence, with even over-65s – the cohort most opposed to independence in 2014 – substantially more in favour at 47%.

Imagine how they would feel if the wish of their Scottish Parliament was ignored by the Brexiteer Cons, and also counted for nothing. 

But of course it's more than just a political game, and it's about more than just staying in the EU.

It's about escaping the bonds of an increasingly Con Britain, building a kinder, gentler more left-wing society. 

And fulfilling the almost 300-year-old dream of making Scotland a nation again.



Which is also my dream. And has been since I was a young boy. 

Even though thanks to my Mum I'm half English myself, so I obviously don't hate the people of that country. Just their tendency to vote for Thatcherite governments and impose them on others.

But I'm sure you can imagine how I'm feeling, now that the dream suddenly seems closer than ever to becoming reality.

So soon after the bitter disappointment of two years ago...



And after fighting for so long to help free this country from the grip of the ghastly Con regime, I'll now get a second chance to help free the other country I love from the grip of the cruel Westminster Cons.

Which is why as I prepare to leave for Scotland I couldn't be happier, and am humming this song again.



You know, it's ironic that David Cameron should have used the politics of fear to win the last independence referendum. Only to hold his own referendum, and have the politics of fear drive him out of office, and Scotland out of his Disunited Kingdom.

But so be it. Scotland will have another date with destiny. 

And with its young supporting the cause of independence in overwhelming numbers.

Sooner or later it will be a nation again...



Please click here to recommend this post at Progressive Bloggers