Lack of Brexit plan will drive Scots to indyref2, warns economist

Post-Brexit economics will push Scotland towards a second independence referendum a leading expert has claimed.
British Prime Minister Theresa May addresses delegates at the annual Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. Picture: Getty ImagesBritish Prime Minister Theresa May addresses delegates at the annual Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. Picture: Getty Images
British Prime Minister Theresa May addresses delegates at the annual Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference. Picture: Getty Images

Professor Danny Blanchflower’s comments come as Prime Minister Theresa May raised the prospect of a transitional agreement with the European Union to avoid a “cliff-edge” exit.

Blanchflower - a former member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee and part-time professor at the University of Stirling -highlighted to the Herald, Scotland’s different approach to Brexit.

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“Obviously, I think the issue is that Scotland voted to remain [in the EU],” he said.
“It has a declining population. It wants to be part of Europe, and likes immigration, and would presumably like a say in what is going on.

“The economics, in some way, will drive the move to referendum.”

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Blanchflower also believed that the chances for a second vote on the issue of independence were increased because the UK Government had “no plans and no exit strategy.”

The left-leaning professor added, “The May government has absolutely no idea about anything and shoots from the hip.”

Yesterday, May told business organisation CBI that she wants to avoid a “cliff edge” after Brexit, but insisted that she will not delay leaving the European Union.

The Prime Minister indicated she will try to get a “transitional” deal for the City in a move that could mean that the UK still has to pay EU contributions after Brexit.

But Downing Street insisted that May will not seek to “extend” the two-year deadline for leaving the EU.

A plan that would see Scotland emulate Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein by joining the EEA was put forward as a possible solution for the country to hold onto its ties with the EU in the wake of the UK voting Leave.