This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/scotland-may-have-to-leave-the-eu-even-if-it-votes-to-stay-in-david-cameron-confirms-10262563.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Scotland may have to leave the EU even if it votes to stay in, David Cameron confirms Scotland may have to leave the EU even if it votes to stay in, David Cameron confirms
(2 days later)
Scotland may have to leave the European Union even if it votes to stay in the bloc, David Cameron has confirmed.Scotland may have to leave the European Union even if it votes to stay in the bloc, David Cameron has confirmed.
The Prime Minister indicated to the Daily Express newspaper that the constituent countries of the United Kingdom would not have to agree before an EU exit went ahead.The Prime Minister indicated to the Daily Express newspaper that the constituent countries of the United Kingdom would not have to agree before an EU exit went ahead.
“We put forward in our manifesto the clearest possible pledge of an in-out referendum by the end of 2017. That has now been backed in a UK General Election and I believe I have a mandate for that,” he told the newspaper.“We put forward in our manifesto the clearest possible pledge of an in-out referendum by the end of 2017. That has now been backed in a UK General Election and I believe I have a mandate for that,” he told the newspaper.
“They didn’t give Orkney and Shetland an opt-out, or the Borders an opt out [during the Scottish independence referendum] so this is a UK pledge, it will be delivered for the UK.”“They didn’t give Orkney and Shetland an opt-out, or the Borders an opt out [during the Scottish independence referendum] so this is a UK pledge, it will be delivered for the UK.”
Mr Cameron’s assertion is a rejection of calls from Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, says she wants a “lock” to be put on Britain’s EU exit.Mr Cameron’s assertion is a rejection of calls from Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, says she wants a “lock” to be put on Britain’s EU exit.
Under such an arrangement, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would all have to vote to leave the European Union for the UK to quit the block.Under such an arrangement, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland would all have to vote to leave the European Union for the UK to quit the block.
Ms Sturgeon has said a situation where the UK left the European Union against Scotland’s wishes could lead to another independence referendum.Ms Sturgeon has said a situation where the UK left the European Union against Scotland’s wishes could lead to another independence referendum.
One of the most controversial parts of the Conservative manifesto was to cut benefits for the working age poor by £12 bn over the next three years. But during the campaign they only said where £2 bn of these savings would come from. That leaves £10 bn still to find. Some experts think the only way they can close that gap is by means testing child benefit – with millions of families losing out
Getty
The Tories will increase the threshold at which the 40p rate of tax becomes payable to £50,000 by 2020. They haven’t said so but it is also likely that at some point in the next five years they will abolish that 45p rate of tax altogether for the highest earners. They also want to increase the effective inheritance tax threshold for married couples and civil partners to £1m
Getty
The next two years are going to be dominated by the prospect of a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. First off David Cameron has the daunting task of negotiating a deal with other EU leaders an acceptable deal that he can sell to his party so he can go into the referendum campaigning for a ‘yes’ vote. This may be unachievable and it is possible that the Tories may end up arguing to leave. Opinion polls show Britain is divided on EU membership, one poll this year showed 51% said they would opt to leave compared to 49% who would vote to stay in
Getty
Having won the election the Tories now have a mandate to go further and faster reforming the NHS. In order to make cost savings there is likely to be greater private involvement in running services, while some smaller hospitals may lose services they currently provide like A&E and maternity units
Getty
The Tories plans to create 500 new free schools and make 3,000 state schools become academies. They will also carry on reforming the Department of Education and remove more powers from local authorities over how schools are run
Getty
Government spending on renewable energy is under real threat now the Lib Dems are no longer in power with the Tories. Subsidies are likely to be slashed for off-shore wind farm and other green energy supplies. Meanwhile there will be generous tax break for fracking as ministers try and incentivise the industry to drill for onshore oil and gas
Getty
In the campaign the Tories pledged to double the amount of free early education for three- and four-year-olds from 15 hours a week to 30. The extra hours would only be offered to working families where parents are employed for at least eight hours a week. However they have not said where the money will come from to fund the pledge
Getty
The Tories want to slash business regulation, merge regulator and cut costs. The Lib Dems stopped them from reducing the employment rights of workers in power – but these are now under threat
Getty
“If there was an in-out referendum, and clearly with a majority Tory government that must be on the horizon, and Scotland voted to stay in the EU and the rest of the UK voted to come out, I think there would be significant opinion in Scotland that we had to re-look at the issue of independence,” she told Sky News earlier this month.“If there was an in-out referendum, and clearly with a majority Tory government that must be on the horizon, and Scotland voted to stay in the EU and the rest of the UK voted to come out, I think there would be significant opinion in Scotland that we had to re-look at the issue of independence,” she told Sky News earlier this month.
“But I actually want to have an arrangement to stop that happening,” she added, a reference to her triple-lock deal.“But I actually want to have an arrangement to stop that happening,” she added, a reference to her triple-lock deal.
Recent surveys conducted by all pollsters have found a strong plurality of voters in favour of staying in the European Union.Recent surveys conducted by all pollsters have found a strong plurality of voters in favour of staying in the European Union.
The latest survey by YouGov found that 45% would vote to stay and 36% would vote to leave. The polls are volatile, however. In January and February two surveys by Opinium and TNS-BMRB respectively found people voting to leave.The latest survey by YouGov found that 45% would vote to stay and 36% would vote to leave. The polls are volatile, however. In January and February two surveys by Opinium and TNS-BMRB respectively found people voting to leave.