Category: Institutions

The Great Repeal Bill and the Challenge of Bringing Laws Home

Tobias Lock The practical process of transposing all existing EU law into the UK legal system brings with it many detailed and essential items for decision, the volume of which will likely favour the executive, writes Tobias Lock. He argues that EU withdrawal looks set to have a significant impact on the devolution settlements, as …

Scotland’s Relationship with the EU after Brexit: Lessons from the Faroes

Jacques Hartmann The Faroe Islands set an important precedent for a part of a unitary state to establish differentiated relations with the EU, writes Jacques Hartmann. He argues that the Faroes potentially yield important lessons for Scotland on how to retain at least some benefits of EU membership, even after a hard Brexit. Tórshavn – …

Bulgaria and Romania: Ten Years of EU Membership in the Shadow of Monitoring

Eli Gateva Since joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria and Romania have remained under unprecedented post-accession monitoring, and have achieved mixed results in addressing corruption, organised crime and judicial reform, writes Eli Gateva. She argues that both countries demonstrate the limits of the EU’s influence after accession, and that, while the EU has a role, …

What Future Has the European Union after its Sixtieth Anniversary – Back to the Future?

Colin Imrie The main challenge facing today’s European Union is to find ways to bring together the diverging interests of its many members, writes Colin Imrie. He argues that, if the EU27 manage to arrive at a common vision combining economic and social priorities, the EU could begin once again to demonstrate its relevance and …

When Article 50 Meets Section 30 – Another Quiet Week in Scotland’s Constitutional Politics

Peter Lynch Scotland’s independence debate was intensified by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement this week, but both sides of the argument have been preparing since the EU referendum, writes Peter Lynch. He argues that, while the timing of an independence referendum is the main focus at the moment, others may well come up, and that …

Brexit Talks: What Will We Know in Autumn 2018?

Kirsty Hughes The UK’s exit negotiations from the EU will concentrate on separate withdrawal and trade deals, and timing will be a crucial factor, writes Kirsty Hughes. She argues that autumn 2018 will serve as a key period where enough about the UK-EU negotiations will be known and pressure will mount for the constitutional options …

An Independent Scotland and the EU: What Route to Membership?

Kirsty Hughes and Tobias Lock In-Depth Analysis In the event of independence, how might Scotland pursue EU membership? Kirsty Hughes and Tobias Lock explore the principal options, arguing that ensuring Scotland’s continuity with EU laws and policy would ultimately be more important than attempting to secure a fast-tracked route to membership, which would be completed …

Will Brexit Mean More Devolution to Scotland?

Mark Lazarowicz The return of powers from the EU post-Brexit is often linked to an assumption that there will be consequential further devolution for Scotland, writes Mark Lazarowicz. He questions this view and suggests that the indications from the UK Government are that it may well adopt a more deliberative approach to the transfer of …