European Union
Smaller States’ Strategies and Influence in an EU of 27: Lessons for Scotland
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: March 2020
Smaller EU member states can develop their European strategies and tactics, set priorities and build alliances, and some lessons for Scotland’s European strategy are available from their experiences.
An Independent Scotland in the EU: Issues for Accession
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Report
Date published:
This report brings together the views of...what an independent Scotland’s accession process to the EU might look like and what the implications of independence in the EU, while the rest of the UK remained outside the EU, might be
Independence in the EU in the Covid Era: Prospects for Scotland
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2020
Covid has not changed Scotland's position in relation to applying for membership of the EU. If Scotland were to choose independence through a constitutionally and legally valid process, then it would be eligible to apply to join the EU.
European Union Views of the UK post-Brexit and of the Future EU-UK Relationship
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: June 2021
This paper analyses how the UK is currently perceived across the EU, how the future EU-UK relationship is considered in the medium term, and how the UK’s constitutional strains are understood.
UK’s disastrous Brexit deal unravelling on three fronts
Author / Creator: Business for Scotland
Media type: Article
Date published:
The UK’s disastrous Brexit deal is falling to pieces as Boris Johnson’s government finds itself fighting on three fronts - Fishing, Ireland, EU.
European Union Views of the UK post Brexit and of the Future EU-UK Relationship
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2020
This paper analyses how the UK is currently perceived across the EU. How the future EU-UK relationship is considered in the medium term. And how the UK’s constitutional strains are understood. Trust in the UK has been severely damaged. There is also substantial Brexit fatigue and frustration. There are different views on whether and how fast a stronger relationship could be built in the future. If Scotland chose independence in a legally and constitutionally sound context, then there is broad openness to Scotland having a normal accession path to the EU.
Scotland’s European Relations: Where Next?
Author / Creator: Kirsty Hughes
Media type: Policy Paper
Date published: 2021
The Scottish government’s European strategy aims to maintain and develop Scotland’s European relations in Brexit environment. And to Focus on issues of common interest, including the climate emergency, wellbeing, innovation and human rights. For now, Scotland’s European relations are rather positive despite the impact of Brexit. Yet they are also strongly affected by the state of EU-UK relations which currently are difficult and fractious – and UK-Scotland constitutional tensions
Scottish independence: EU membership and the Anglo–Scottish border
Author / Creator: Institute for Government
Media type: Assessment report
Date published:
The implications of an independent Scotland joining the EU or EFTA would include a border with rUK, some interim border arrangements, and considerations about currency