Category: Scotland’s Place in Europe

Scotland and Brexit – Outlook Worsens as Options Narrow

Kirsty Hughes In-Depth Analysis Both hard Brexit and soft Brexit scenarios each present their own challenges for the UK, writes Kirsty Hughes. She suggests that, for Scotland, it is almost certain that it will exit the EU with the rest of the UK, and that, in the event of independence, the question then becomes whether Scotland …

Theresa May’s Great Repeal Bill – A Scottish Own Goal?

Tobias Lock The Prime Minister’s outlining of the Great Repeal Bill to bring all EU law into UK law, to be sorted through later, has many elements of strategic thinking, writes Tobias Lock. He suggests, however, that a wholesale legal relocation would clearly touch on competences devolved to Scotland, and the politics around legislative consent …

While Europe’s Eye is Fix’d on Mighty Things: Implications of the Brexit Vote for Scotland

David Edward and Niamh Nic Shuibhne The variation in vote outcomes across the different parts of the UK in the EU referendum has brought existing constitutional questions to the fore, alongside the new challenges associated with exiting the EU, write David Edward and Niamh Nic Shuibhne. Outlining some of the options for Scotland, they argue …

How Might Brexit Impact Britain’s Universities?

Brad MacKay The scenario under which the UK leaves the EU will have significant consequences for UK higher education, writes Brad MacKay. He argues that, while it may be possible to compensate for student numbers, it would be particularly difficult to maintain staff mobility and funding opportunities under a hard Brexit, and that it is …

Could Scotland Remain in Both the EU and the UK After ‘Brexit’?

Mark Lazarowicz In-Depth Analysis One of the challenges facing Scotland following the EU referendum is whether it could retain membership of the EU while continuing to be part of the UK, writes Mark Lazarowicz. He considers several options in detail and suggests that, while they might be possible, all would require a substantial degree of …

How Might Scotland Maintain its Membership of the EU?

Eve Hepburn In the aftermath of the vote for the UK to leave the EU, several possible scenarios could allow Scotland to remain in, writes Eve Hepburn. She argues that, while it may prove difficult for Scotland to block Brexit or to keep EU membership while the rest of the UK leaves, it would also …

A European Future for Scotland?

Tobias Lock Scotland is faced with several options for retaining its relationship with the EU following the UK’s vote to leave, writes Tobias Lock. He suggests that each option would present its own difficulties, and that timing, Scotland’s access to the UK’s withdrawal negotiations and the position of the remaining EU members will play major …

The UK’s EU Referendum: Implications for Scotland’s Constitutional Settlement

Sarah Craig, Maria Fletcher and Nina Miller-Westoby In-Depth Analysis Scotland’s devolved powers have become progressively interconnected with both UK law and EU law, write Sarah Craig, Maria Fletcher and Nina Miller-Westoby. Focusing on the area of migration policy, they argue that, whatever the outcome of the EU referendum, the resulting legislative changes will have an …