An open letter, "Europe for Scotland", by 200 prominent Europeans, urges the EU leadership to unilaterally offer Scotland generous terms for re-entry to the EU. An excerpt from the letter:
We want the people of Scotland to know that Europeans everywhere would welcome them back in the European Union if this is still their democratic wish.
In the 2016 Brexit Referendum, not a single Scottish district voted to leave, and Scotland as a whole voted by a 62% majority to remain in the EU. In subsequent years, the Scottish Parliament rejected the withdrawal process at every stage. Yet in 2020, Scotland was taken out of the European Union alongside the rest of the UK.
the EU can declare that, because Scotland has already long been part of the EU, should it become legally and democratically independent it need not apply as a ânewâ accession candidate. Instead, the EU and its member states should make a unilateral and open offer of membership: an exceptional proposal to match Scotlandâs exceptional circumstances. [...] The EU should offer as much continuity as possible to Scotland too. No one knows the short and long term costs of Brexit for Scotland, nor those linked to breaking away from the UK â including issuing a new currency if the Scots so wish (whether or not they eventually join the Euro). In light of this, generous terms should be offered to support Scotlandâs budget in the challenging months of the transition before re-joining the EU.
If the EU did make any such declaration, the effect would be stunning. It would instantaneously transform the entire political climate across Scotland and the UK. The naysayer unionists would be utterly routed: they would no longer be able to credibly argue that it would be hard or impossible for Scotland to rejoin the EU.
And the little Englander Brexiteers would be furious that the EU wanted to "steal" Scotland from them. Yes, that's how they see it -- they think Scotland is their property rather than belonging to the Scottish people. The look on the faces of Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg would be priceless.
The European Union would gain stature, as it would have upheld its democratic principles, and ensured that a country that wants to remain in the EU cannot be forced out of it against its will. It would show that the European Union is a force to be reckoned with in the world.
It would be a very smart move for the EU to unilaterally offer Scotland membership.
Questions and answers
The letter has a FAQ with some interesting detail:
Why does Scotland need European solidarity?
The Scottish people voted to remain in the EU but Brexit was imposed on Scotland against its democratic will.
In the 2016 EU Referendum, not a single Scottish district voted to leave, and Scotland as a whole voted 62% to 38% to remain in the EU. In subsequent years, the Scottish Parliament rejected the withdrawal process at every stage and called for a different approach on Brexit. The UK government ignored the Brexit stance expressed by the Scottish government and in 2020, Scotland was taken out of the European Union on terms its democratic institutions rejected, with dire consequences for the Scottish economy.
If the EU wants to live by its value of democracy, it should support Scotland.
What do we want the EU to do?
We want the EU to recognize Scotlandâs unique situation, and to respond to it with bold solidarity.
Specifically, we are asking the EU to signal prior to any referendum that an independent Scotland would be welcome back to the EU as it is well positioned to go speedily through the accession process given it has been part of the EU for many years and left involuntarily. In the event Scotland does become an independent country, we want the EU to support it during the transition from independence to EU membership, as the EU does with all joining states.
This would make it much easier for Scotland to gain independence from the UK, as unionists would no longer be able to spread FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) that Scotland could rejoin the EU. It would take the wind right out of their sails.
Why should the EU support Scotland?
The European Union must always stand for democracy and solidarity and therefore respect and encourage the democratic right of European people to decide their own future.
Conversely, it would be extremely detrimental to European culture and democracy if a former member state, which left the EU against the will of its people and democratic institutions, was to hear no words of support and solidarity but instead âthe silence of [their] friendsâ.
Finally, we all know how greatly Scottish thinkers have contributed to European culture, and how positive Scotlandâs impact could be if it were to once again be part of the EU.
Scotland is a European country that has been part of European culture for over 2000 years. Europe is who we are and where we belong.
Call to action
The letter ends:
Fellow Europeans*, please join us and add your name to our open letter. Letâs ask the leaders of the EU and its member states to offer Scotland an attractive way to rejoin the EU!
*Europeans => anyone who lives and works in a European country, whether or not it is in the EU, anyone who was born in or comes from a European country, or has European citizenship, wherever they are now living in the world.
You can sign the letter here. You can also share this post, to spread the word: