Tag: Scotland

Who Makes Our Laws – Brussels, Westminster or Holyrood?

Tobias Lock Britain’s Decision | The EU Referendum Questions around sovereignty and the extent of the impact of EU law on the UK and Scotland have been central in the EU referendum campaign, writes Tobias Lock. He argues that the policy areas which EU law covers is more significant than the quantity of legislation, and …

Problematising the SNP’s Pro-European Status Quo

Judith Sijstermans The SNP’s policy of pro-Europeanism is more a result of strategy than ideology favourable to European integration, writes Judith Sijstermans. Looking at manifestos, parliamentarians and their records, she suggests that the party’s pragmatic approach to the EU means that, if it is to succeed in persuading voters to back EU membership, it will …

Divided by Europe: The UK Nations and the EU Referendum

Charlie Jeffery Polling shows that people in the various parts of the UK might vote in different ways in the EU referendum, writes Charlie Jeffery, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expressing a clear intent to remain, and England and Wales swaying on the edge of remain or leave. He suggests that, if the nations end …

The UK’s EU Referendum – Issues for Business

Owen Kelly The debate around the UK’s upcoming EU referendum will have impacts across society, including on business, writes Owen Kelly. Analysing it against the Scottish independence referendum, he argues that companies must proactively engage in the discussion and make their views clear, or risk being pulled into the debate directly. St David Street, Edinburgh, …

Scottish Minimum Pricing on Alcohol: The Court of Justice Speaks

Arianna Andreangeli In-Depth Analysis The recent EU court preliminary ruling on Scotland’s alcohol minimum pricing illustrates the conflict in EU law between upholding the integrity of the internal market and allowing measures designed to protect public health, writes Arianna Andreangeli. She explains that the case has rested on whether minimum pricing or taxation can better …

Three Scenarios for the Outcome of the UK’s EU Referendum

Kirsty Hughes In-Depth Analysis The result of the UK’s referendum on EU membership will have significant implications for the country’s relationship with the rest of Europe and its own constitutional future, writes Kirsty Hughes. She argues that, whatever the outcome of the vote, the impact on the UK is likely to be substantial, long-term and …

The EU Referendum: Unpredictable in Scotland and the UK

James Mitchell In Scotland, despite differences in views and parties, the 1975 EC referendum shares some similarities with the EU referendum today, writes James Mitchell. He suggests that the referendum will be an unpredictable contest with the prospect that Scotland may either vote differently than the rest of the UK or swing the overall UK …

How Could Scotland Protect its EU Links After Brexit?

Kirsty Hughes In-Depth Analysis It is often presumed that Scotland will continue to be part of the EU, either through a UK-wide vote to remain in the EU referendum or by joining the EU after a successful second independence referendum, writes Kirsty Hughes. She argues, however, that it is possible that Scotland could find itself …