Will Scotland be Allowed to Rejoin the UK after Independence?

The hypothetical question of whether Scotland can rejoin the United Kingdom (UK) after it has left is rooted in a complex interplay of political, economic, and historical factors. The scenario presented in the original content raises several critical points about the sovereignty, priorities, and potential repercussions of an independent Scotland.

Consequences of Separation

The first part of the question, regarding whether Scotland could rejoin the UK if it decides to leave, is straightforward: no. Once separation occurs, all connections are severed, and both countries operate independently. This decision is final, marking an end to the existing political union. The Scottish nationalist emphasis that no one would willingly choose to be governed by another country highlights the permanence of separation.

The Reality of Governance

The second part of the question delves into the intricacies of governance under foreign rule. If Scotland were run by the UK, the situation would be far from favorable:

Loss of Priority: Scotland would no longer be a priority for the UK rulers. Infrastructure Priorities: Upgrading Scotland's infrastructure would no longer be a priority. Ignoring Opinions: The UK would largely ignore Scotland's opinions on how the "joint" country should be run. Migration and Development: Sections of the population would seek their fortunes elsewhere, exacerbating the decline of infrastructure and priorities.

It is clear that none of these scenarios would be beneficial for Scotland, and it's important to acknowledge the historical context, which includes the lack of a democratic mandate in the 1707 union between Scotland and England.

The Scottish Nationalists' Fading Influence

The General Election of 2024 saw a significant setback for Scottish National Party (SNP) supporters in Scotland. The SNP now holds only 9 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament. As a result, the push for rejoining the UK seems to have waned, with a more pragmatic acceptance of the status quo.

EU Considerations

The hypothetical scenario also raises questions about Scotland's relationship with the European Union (EU). The SNP's belief that an independent Scotland could quickly rejoin the EU is not without challenges:

Euro Adoption: Part of the agreement for new EU members is the adoption of the Euro. This would cause significant economic and administrative difficulties for Scotland. EU Rejoining Post-Brexit: Since the UK left the EU in 2020, Scotland would face additional hurdles in rejoining, given that its status would be linked to the UK's exit.

Even with theoretical exceptions, such as Denmark's membership but its constituent territories (Faroe Islands and Greenland) remaining outside the EU, rejoining the EU would still be a complex and lengthy process.

Conclusion

Scotland, if it were to become independent, would find it extremely difficult to rejoin the UK or the EU in the near future. The separation would be permanent, and the challenges of governance and reintegration would make such a scenario highly impractical. It is crucial to consider the long-term impacts of such decisions, including economic and social changes that would be far-reaching.