The length of time it would take an independent Scotland to negotiate re-entry to the EU will be dictated by how far the UK diverges from European regulations post-Brexit, officials in Brussels have said.
The idea put forward this week by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown that the UK should become a more federal state – in order to help stop Scottish independence – is simply not on the radar in Westminster, writes Kenny MacAskill.
Boris Johnson went on the offensive against the SNP and the case for independence, attacking the Scottish Government’s record on education and criticising plans for “a new currency whose name they cannot even specify”.
A recent All Under One Banner march in support of Scottish independence saw expletive-ridden, hateful placards and chants of “Whose streets? Our streets. Whose flag? Our flag”, writes Alex Cole-Hamilton.
Holding an unofficial referendum on Scottish independence will be fraught with danger for the SNP – better to give fickle Boris Johnson room to change his mind, writes Ian Swanson.
A constitutional expert has warned independence supporters calling for a consultative referendum to be held without UK Government approval that such a plan could "backfire", as it could lead to a boycott by Unionists and deprive the result of legitimacy.
A ‘wildcat’ independence referendum organised by the Scottish Government without legal authority under the Scotland Act wouldn’t be invalidated by a Unionist boycott, a leading SNP politician has argued.
The Scottish independence movement must “stop marching and start thinking” after Boris Johnson last week rejected demands for an indyref2, former SNP depute leader Jim Sillars has said.
Even among those loyal to Nicola Sturgeon there is frustration at her reliance on ‘one more heave, lads’ as difficult times draw nearer, writes Euan McColm
Labour's sole Scottish MP has launched his campaign to become deputy leader of the UK party, pledging he would focus on developing a new constitutional offer for the whole of the UK.
The SNP is locked in a power struggle over influential positions chairing two parliamentary committees amid calls for Ian Blackford to “sack” one of his own MPs.
A leading QC has argued the Scottish Parliament already has the power to legislate for a second referendum on independence without prior approval from the UK Government.
Scotland’s right to choose its own future is already established so, by ruling out a second independence referendum, the Conservatives are pitting themselves against democracy itself, writes Kenny MacAskill.
