It's all going so well, isn't it?

[Fulmar]

Well, I wonder now how many of the people of Scotland are going to be clamouring to re-join the EU after an un-elected Brussels has shown itself to be quite capable of taking unilateral action which majorly affected a member state (Ireland) without even consulting that country's parliament. Said action had the un-precedented effect of uniting all the political parties in Northern Ireland (and indeed in the south) in condemnation. I do hope that the SNP are going to hold a referendum on re-joining the EU after Indyref2. So much for being a so-called independent country in the EU!
Your problem Corky is that there will be many in Scotland (and possibly reading this Forum) who think as I do and we all have a vote in May.

[Corky Smeek]

I do hope that the SNP are going to hold a referendum on re-joining the EU after Indyref2.

The implication being that you and all the others who think like you are expecting a Yes vote in IndyRef2. I'll go with that.

Also, if a future independent Scotland votes to stay out, or apply for re-admission to the EU is fine with me. The important thing is that the people of Scotland would have chosen their own future rather than having someone else's choice foisted upon them.

[Fulmar]

Yes, as I have said already, I do think as things stand so far as I can tell (as recent polls indicate) that it will be a majority for the SNP although I also think that recent events may have an impact. I do not know by how much (if any) but it is possible and even you might concede that to be the case. It is the policy of the SNP (correct me if I am wrong) to immediately apply to re-join the EU following a future vote for independence from the rest of the UK?

[Corky Smeek]

Sorry, I'm not sure what vote you are referring to. In your post yesterday morning you said a referendum "after IndyRef2" which would imply that there had been one; "Yes" had won and Scotland was independent. In that last post you mention recent polls and "a majority for the SNP", which refers to the Holyrood elections later this year. Either way the important point is that the people who live in Scotland get to chose the form of government they want. I don't think that is an unreasonable request. It is after all, the system used throughout much of the world. What is so goddamned awful about us having that same status? Two large constitutional questions lie before us. Should we remain the UK; should we apply to re-join the EU. In Scotland, we don't even have the power to ask the people those questions. We have to ask another country for permission. That is wrong on every level.
I'm sorry, I cannot answer your question on the SNP I am not a member.

[Fulmar]

Sorry, yes it is muddled. I meant that I think that the recent poll evidence suggests that there will be a sweeping win for the SNP but it may be that the whole Covid vaccination issue has some effect. It will be interesting to see any new polls. I accept that a majority win for the SNP means that the Indyref2 is going to be 'live' although I also think that some people may vote SNP because they are supportive of the way Nicola Sturgeon has dealt with the pandemic rather than that they are itching for an immediate Indyref2. I think it is valid to suggest that even with a majority win, the timing of Indyref 2 in the wake of a pandemic is a tricky one and that Scots may be more concerned with all the aspects of the recovery from that, both medical and economic. Recent polls suggest a win in an Indyref 2 (again have there been any since this vaccination debacle?) but I think that if this happens, we should be consulted on whether we do actually want to join the EU. The SNP, it seems to me, in the event of a majority win in May are going to hold Indyref 2 come what may so I'm not too sure what you mean about permissions if they are going to do it anyway.

[Corky Smeek]

Ok, that's fine. I understand now. What I meant by "permission" is having to go cap-in-hand to Westminster and ask for a S.30 agreement to hold IndyRef2. That is nothing short of ridiculous. Can you imagine the reaction in the Tory party if the UK had had to ask the EU for permission to hold an EU referendum? Yet, they are resolute in their denial of the settled will of the Scottish people in wanting another Indyref. Their hypocrisy on this issue is nothing short of breathtaking.

So far as I know the SNP have been exploring other (legal) ways to hold an IndyRef that does not involve gaining Westminster's permission. I am not sure what the outcome is/will be.

When you refer to a "vaccination debacle" I take it you are referring to Westminster's calamitous handling of the issue. I can't really see that having any effect other than bolstering support for independence.

[Fulmar]

No, I meant the EU- I'm sure you know that! As far as I'm concerned, the vaccine roll out in the UK is the one thing that is going well. If Scotland at this time had been 'independent' but in the European Union, then we would be watching the remainder of the UK rolling out its vaccination programme while Scotland languished in the EU queue. I know it does not suit you that people like me think that but I'm afraid I do think it and am not likely to change. Also, the UK is committed to rolling out vaccination world wide but with over 100,000 now dead, I for one think that the UK population needs protecting, just like everyone else. The UK government did support the research and did place the orders for the vaccines which every scientist and medic say do work- despite what you implied above. I happen to believe the scientists and medics and have faith in them not the president of France who is trying to quell and divert the discontent amongst his own people by his ill informed pronouncements.