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Scotland to campaign officially to remain in the EU Scotland to campaign officially to remain in the EU
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon’s government is to campaign officially to remain in the EU, with civil servants already writing a pro-EU position paper for voters, her spokesman has confirmed.Nicola Sturgeon’s government is to campaign officially to remain in the EU, with civil servants already writing a pro-EU position paper for voters, her spokesman has confirmed.
The disclosure came as Jim Sillars, a former deputy leader of the Scottish National party, warned supporters of Scottish independence that a vote for Britain to remain in the EU would seriously damage their cause.The disclosure came as Jim Sillars, a former deputy leader of the Scottish National party, warned supporters of Scottish independence that a vote for Britain to remain in the EU would seriously damage their cause.
Jim Sillars, who has served as MP for both Labour and the SNP, urged pro-independence voters to ignore Sturgeon’s calls to support EU membership in June’s referendum, as he launched a campaign aimed at Eurosceptic SNP voters. Jim Sillars, who has served as MP for both Labour and the SNP, urged pro-independence voters to ignore Sturgeon’s calls to support EU membership in June’s referendum as he launched a campaign aimed at Eurosceptic SNP voters.
Sturgeon’s chief spokesman said Sillars was entitled to his views, but added: “Our position, whether it’s government or the party, is that Scotland’s and indeed the UK’s prospects are far better being in continued membership rather than being outside.”Sturgeon’s chief spokesman said Sillars was entitled to his views, but added: “Our position, whether it’s government or the party, is that Scotland’s and indeed the UK’s prospects are far better being in continued membership rather than being outside.”
In a pamphlet published on Thursday for the Scotleave.eu campaign, Sillar asserts that the only way to secure Scottish sovereignty is to vote against continued EU membership, since Brussels will otherwise remain an obstacle to independence.In a pamphlet published on Thursday for the Scotleave.eu campaign, Sillar asserts that the only way to secure Scottish sovereignty is to vote against continued EU membership, since Brussels will otherwise remain an obstacle to independence.
Citing the open hostility of EU leaders to Scottish independence in 2014, Sillars writes: “Yes voters must ask: if the SNP succeeds through the Scottish vote in keeping the UK in the European Union, what will be different for the independence movement?Citing the open hostility of EU leaders to Scottish independence in 2014, Sillars writes: “Yes voters must ask: if the SNP succeeds through the Scottish vote in keeping the UK in the European Union, what will be different for the independence movement?
“The EU will return to the status quo, the UK’s bluff having been called with no change towards Scotland. For Scotland, that means back in the same trap: our fate in their hands, with their distaste for the break-up of a member state the ruling factor in their attitude to our independence.” “The EU will return to the status quo, the UK’s bluff having been called with no change towards Scotland. For Scotland, that means back in the same trap: our fate in their hands, with their distaste for the breakup of a member state the ruling factor in their attitude to our independence.”
No formal Scottish cabinet vote has been taken to officially back the remain campaign beyond general political discussions about the referendum.No formal Scottish cabinet vote has been taken to officially back the remain campaign beyond general political discussions about the referendum.
Bar a six-week purdah period before the Holyrood election on 5 May when official activity will be suspended, civil servants are drafting a Scottish government pro-EU paper for voters and are likely to use wider official resources, for other documents. Bar a six-week purdah period before the Holyrood election on 5 May when official activity will be suspended, civil servants are drafting a Scottish government pro-EU paper for voters and are likely to use wider official resources for other documents.
A spokeswoman said: “We fully expect to use the resources we have, given the Scottish government position. It’s very strong that we want to remain within Europe.”A spokeswoman said: “We fully expect to use the resources we have, given the Scottish government position. It’s very strong that we want to remain within Europe.”
A longstanding critic of the former SNP leader Alex Salmond, but also widely respected by party activists, Sillars has emerged as the only senior SNP figure so far to urge a leave vote in a party known for its strict internal discipline. A longstanding critic of the former SNP leader Alex Salmond but also widely respected by party activists, Sillars has emerged as the only senior SNP figure so far to urge a leave vote in a party known for its strict internal discipline.
Sillars’s attacks on Sturgeon’s stance rests on weighing up the risks to Scotland’s future independence if the UK remains part of the EU after June’s referendum. Sillars’ attacks on Sturgeon’s stance rest on weighing up the risks to Scotland’s future independence if the UK remains part of the EU after June’s referendum.
Despite the open hostility of European figures led by José Manuel Barroso, the former European commission president, SNP leaders have consistently disputed claims that the EU would force Scotland to leave first and then reapply for membership if it voted for independence from the UK.Despite the open hostility of European figures led by José Manuel Barroso, the former European commission president, SNP leaders have consistently disputed claims that the EU would force Scotland to leave first and then reapply for membership if it voted for independence from the UK.
Citing experts including the former European court of justice judge Sir David Edward, they insist the EU would compromise to ensure Scotland could transfer its current membership as part of the UK to minimise disruption to trade and citizenship rights.Citing experts including the former European court of justice judge Sir David Edward, they insist the EU would compromise to ensure Scotland could transfer its current membership as part of the UK to minimise disruption to trade and citizenship rights.
Yet despite Sturgeon’s vigorous support for the in campaign, including a speech in London this week, SNP supporters have emerged as the largest bloc of voters in Scotland who favour leaving the EU.Yet despite Sturgeon’s vigorous support for the in campaign, including a speech in London this week, SNP supporters have emerged as the largest bloc of voters in Scotland who favour leaving the EU.
Surveys show that more Scottish voters will choose to remain, with the in vote projected to be more than double the leave vote. But the gap is slowly narrowing and there is substantial evidence that Scots are more Eurosceptic than the polls suggest.Surveys show that more Scottish voters will choose to remain, with the in vote projected to be more than double the leave vote. But the gap is slowly narrowing and there is substantial evidence that Scots are more Eurosceptic than the polls suggest.
The latest Scottish Social Attitudes survey found that 60% of Scots could be classed as sceptics. Although its study showed that only 17% of people wanted to leave the EU, 43% wanted its powers reduced – more than at any time since 1999.The latest Scottish Social Attitudes survey found that 60% of Scots could be classed as sceptics. Although its study showed that only 17% of people wanted to leave the EU, 43% wanted its powers reduced – more than at any time since 1999.
The latest opinion polls have found that up to 29% of SNP voters will back the leave campaign in the referendum, compared with 36% of Tory voters. Holyrood opinion polls suggest the SNP now has support from up to 60% of those certain to vote in May’s Scottish election, implying they are the largest group of out voters.The latest opinion polls have found that up to 29% of SNP voters will back the leave campaign in the referendum, compared with 36% of Tory voters. Holyrood opinion polls suggest the SNP now has support from up to 60% of those certain to vote in May’s Scottish election, implying they are the largest group of out voters.
However, nationalist Eurosceptics face a significant challenge mobilising and organising that vote. Other campaigns include a small Labour party out campaign led in Scotland by the former Edinburgh South MP Nigel Griffiths.However, nationalist Eurosceptics face a significant challenge mobilising and organising that vote. Other campaigns include a small Labour party out campaign led in Scotland by the former Edinburgh South MP Nigel Griffiths.
Sillars said he had little open support from within the SNP and his campaign was not well-funded compared with the Scottish government and SNP. Now 79, he said he was unlikely to lead large campaigning tours or host many events.Sillars said he had little open support from within the SNP and his campaign was not well-funded compared with the Scottish government and SNP. Now 79, he said he was unlikely to lead large campaigning tours or host many events.
In a statement to mark the launch of Scotleave.eu, Sillars said: “While I believe that SNP policies for the governance of Scotland are right, I am equally certain that their position on the European Union is wrong.In a statement to mark the launch of Scotleave.eu, Sillars said: “While I believe that SNP policies for the governance of Scotland are right, I am equally certain that their position on the European Union is wrong.
“This means nationalists face a challenge: separating their loyalty to the party from their loyalty to the cause of independence. They should vote for the SNP in May and against them in June. When assessing what outcomes will advance the cause of independence, objectivity and logical analysis, not blind loyalty will be required.” “This means nationalists face a challenge: separating their loyalty to the party from their loyalty to the cause of independence. They should vote for the SNP in May and against them in June. When assessing what outcomes will advance the cause of independence, objectivity and logical analysis, not blind loyalty, will be required.”
Sillars’ blueprint for an independent Scotland includes pursuing an association agreement with the EU and joining the European Free Trade Association with non-EU countries such as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland; setting up a new currency; stricter immigration controls whereby economic migrants will be allowed entry only if jobs are available; and leaving Nato.Sillars’ blueprint for an independent Scotland includes pursuing an association agreement with the EU and joining the European Free Trade Association with non-EU countries such as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland; setting up a new currency; stricter immigration controls whereby economic migrants will be allowed entry only if jobs are available; and leaving Nato.
A spokesman for the in campaign Scotland Stronger In Europe said: “We are campaigning for an in vote in the referendum because the facts show that staying in Europe is in the best interests of Scotland and the UK – our economy will be stronger and horizons broader.A spokesman for the in campaign Scotland Stronger In Europe said: “We are campaigning for an in vote in the referendum because the facts show that staying in Europe is in the best interests of Scotland and the UK – our economy will be stronger and horizons broader.
“The arguments for remaining the EU stand on their own merits, but in terms of the independence referendum both sides stressed the importance of protecting our place in Europe. Therefore, the Stronger In campaign in Scotland is a place where people in Scotland can work together across other political divides and potentially have a major influence on the UK-wide result.” “The arguments for remaining in the EU stand on their own merits, but in terms of the independence referendum both sides stressed the importance of protecting our place in Europe. Therefore, the Stronger In campaign in Scotland is a place where people in Scotland can work together across other political divides and potentially have a major influence on the UK-wide result.”