About: Scottish independence referendum

Brexit: The case for Scottish independence

Britain's exit from the EU could tempt Scots to vote to sever ties with the United Kingdom in a second independence referendum, an opinion poll showed on Sunday (2 September).

Sturgeon sees ‘golden’ chance to argue for UK to remain in single market

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday (14 January) there was a "golden opportunity" to argue for Britain to remain in the European single market after Brexit, as no-one had yet demonstrated the benefit of loosening trade ties with the EU.

‘We are Catalans’: Scots voice referendum solidarity

Sympathy with Catalonia's bid to hold an independence referendum next week is running high in Scotland, where lawmakers are increasingly vocal in condemning Spain's actions and a group of volunteers is heading out to help.

Poll: Euroscepticism in Scotland at record level

Support for Scottish independence is at its highest ever but it might not be the best time for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hold a new referendum, a survey by ScotCen's Scottish Social Attitudes said on Wednesday (15 March).

SNP Brexit minister: There is no such thing as a UK ‘single market’

On the day Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a new referendum on independence, EURACTIV.com quizzed the SNP's Brexit minister in Brussels on whether Scotland could actually rejoin the EU and why pro-independence polls hadn't budged since the Brexit vote in June.

Scotland seeks second referendum amid Brexit doubts

The Scottish government announced today (13 March) a new independence vote, pre-empting this week's expected start of the Brexit process. Nicola Sturgeon will seek the power to call a new referendum on whether Scotland should follow the UK out of the EU or form its own country.

Scottish nationalists treat politics like a game, says May

The Scottish National Party is treating politics as a game and obsessing over independence rather than focusing on improving public services in Scotland, UK Prime Minister Theresa May will say today (3 March).

Scottish independence now neck-and-neck, new post-Brexit poll shows

Support for Scottish independence in the wake of the Brexit referendum is now effectively neck-and-neck, according to a new poll released Wednesday (8 February).

Nearly two-thirds of Scots don’t want independence referendum in 2017

Nearly two-thirds of Scottish voters do not want a referendum on independence this year, according to a new poll, despite the shockwaves caused by the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

Seven steps to winning a referendum

Nicholas Whyte takes a journey back in time to previous referendums in order to consider whether the UK and EU can learn anything from the lessons of the past.

EU and NATO breathes sigh of relief after Scotland ‘No’ vote

European Union and NATO officials expressed undisguised relief on Friday (19 September) at Scotland's clear vote against independence from Britain, but some fretted that the genie of separatism may be out of the bottle in Europe.

EU holds its breath as Scots go to polls

The EU has largely kept a diplomatic silence in the weeks before today’s Scotland's independence referendum, but the implications of a “yes” vote are broadly seen in Brussels as the last thing the Union needs in its present difficult circumstances.

EU legal fog lets Scots bank on politics to keep them in

If Scots vote for independence, it will be in part because they believe assurances that their small Atlantic peninsula can quit the United Kingdom without ever leaving the secure embrace of the European Union.

MEPs could block Scotland’s EU membership if it pushes for euro opt-out

EXCLUSIVE: Members of the European Parliament could block an independent Scotland’s EU membership if it insists on keeping currency and border treaty opt-outs negotiated by the UK, sources in the two largest political groups in Brussels told EURACTIV.

Cameron begs Scots not to leave ‘UK family’

British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday (10 September) begged Scots not to rip apart the United Kingdom's "family of nations", flying to Scotland to man the barricades against a surge in support for independence eight days before a referendum.

Scotland’s future as a strong and vibrant EU member state

Scottish citizens head to the polls on 18 September to vote on independence in a referendum. An independent Scotland will play a constructive role in addressing some of the central challenges facing the EU, writes Fiona Hyslop.

Brexit could cost UK its UN Security Council seat, warns leading Tory

The British Conservative candidate for European Parliament President has warned that leaving the European Union could cost the United Kingdom its seat on the United Nations Security Council.

UK to promise Scots more powers

The British government will start talks on granting Scotland more powers within a month of an independence referendum later this year if Scots choose to stay part of the United Kingdom, a government minister will pledge tomorrow (22 May).

Scoxit could lead to Brexit

If the Scots vote to leave the UK in September, that could trigger a chain reaction which leads to the rest of the UK quitting the European Union. This is a threat British pro-Europeans need to take seriously given that a Scottish independence vote is quite possible, though a 'yes' still has less than 50% of chance.

Salmond: Scotland would be a better EU member than the UK

An independent Scotland would be a more constructive member of the European Union than a reluctant Britain, Scottish first minister Alex Salmond said Monday (28 April).

Scotland and Europe: both Cameron and Salmond must play fair with the voters

Scottish independence does not secure Edinburgh EU membership per se, as European Commission President José Manuel Barroso stressed the scenario would be unprecedented. Many stumbling blocks lie on the path towards membership, including the euro, the ever-changing acquis communautaire and the required unanimity amongst member states, writes Andrew Duff.

Barroso: It’s ‘nearly impossible’ for independent Scotland to join EU

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said states breaking away from existing EU countries would struggle to gain EU membership, further complicating Scottish nationalists' already uncertain plans for independence.