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Scottish independence quest hampered by policy gaps, MPs say Scottish independence quest hampered by policy gaps, MPs say
(5 months later)
Alex Salmond's quest for Scottish independence is being undermined by significant gaps in his government's security and foreign policies, an influential Commons committee has said.Alex Salmond's quest for Scottish independence is being undermined by significant gaps in his government's security and foreign policies, an influential Commons committee has said.
The foreign affairs select committee said the first minister's stance on Scotland's future membership of the EU and Nato was based on assumptions and assertions, without any analysis of the costs of setting up new intelligence and diplomatic services.The foreign affairs select committee said the first minister's stance on Scotland's future membership of the EU and Nato was based on assumptions and assertions, without any analysis of the costs of setting up new intelligence and diplomatic services.
Its report on the foreign policy implications of independence said the Scottish government, which is due to stage an independence referendum in September 2014, had failed to do much of the basic legal and political groundwork on its foreign policy, its embassies network or its new intelligence agency.Its report on the foreign policy implications of independence said the Scottish government, which is due to stage an independence referendum in September 2014, had failed to do much of the basic legal and political groundwork on its foreign policy, its embassies network or its new intelligence agency.
Urging more clarity and candour from Salmond's government, Richard Ottoway, the committee chairman, said: "There are some quite worrying gaps in the Scottish government's foreign policy vision and certain assumptions are being made which don't seem to be based on concrete evidence.Urging more clarity and candour from Salmond's government, Richard Ottoway, the committee chairman, said: "There are some quite worrying gaps in the Scottish government's foreign policy vision and certain assumptions are being made which don't seem to be based on concrete evidence.
"No one is doubting that Scotland could be a fully-fledged member of the international community but there is a real and urgent need for more information about the risks and costs involved.""No one is doubting that Scotland could be a fully-fledged member of the international community but there is a real and urgent need for more information about the risks and costs involved."
Despite "strenuously advocating" the view that an independent Scotland would inherit all the UK's current opt-outs without any treaty changes, the committee said it was perplexed that Salmond had failed to get clear legal advice to support those views.Despite "strenuously advocating" the view that an independent Scotland would inherit all the UK's current opt-outs without any treaty changes, the committee said it was perplexed that Salmond had failed to get clear legal advice to support those views.
The overall weight of legal and expert opinion and international precedent showed the rest of the UK would continue as before, it said, which would force Scotland to apply afresh to join the EU, Nato and the UN.The overall weight of legal and expert opinion and international precedent showed the rest of the UK would continue as before, it said, which would force Scotland to apply afresh to join the EU, Nato and the UN.
It said it was possible that those talks would be fast-tracked, and supported by the UK. Many people within both the UK government and the EU would prefer a fast and smooth accession by Scotland to the EU and the UN, largely out of pragmatism and self-interest. But it said this depended on Scotland's willingness to compromise with the UK during post-referendum negotiations, and particularly on the terms of its Nato and EU membership – both of which would need support from all member states. That depended heavily on generating goodwill from its partners, and on key issues such as intelligence co-operation, and building trust with its neighbours and allies.It said it was possible that those talks would be fast-tracked, and supported by the UK. Many people within both the UK government and the EU would prefer a fast and smooth accession by Scotland to the EU and the UN, largely out of pragmatism and self-interest. But it said this depended on Scotland's willingness to compromise with the UK during post-referendum negotiations, and particularly on the terms of its Nato and EU membership – both of which would need support from all member states. That depended heavily on generating goodwill from its partners, and on key issues such as intelligence co-operation, and building trust with its neighbours and allies.
Many Nato members would be hostile to Scotland's demands for the withdrawal of Trident nuclear weapons from the Clyde. While Scottish demandsto keep its share of the UK's lucrative EU budget rebate, and its opt-outs from the euro and the Schengen border treaty would likely slow down those talks and cause friction.Many Nato members would be hostile to Scotland's demands for the withdrawal of Trident nuclear weapons from the Clyde. While Scottish demandsto keep its share of the UK's lucrative EU budget rebate, and its opt-outs from the euro and the Schengen border treaty would likely slow down those talks and cause friction.
The report also warned that a vote in favour of Scottish independence would likely damage the UK's international standing, and raise questions about its permanent seat on the UN security council. While it would have less real clout, Scotland could gain "a more distinct" voice on the world stage and play "a valuable role" in Europe.The report also warned that a vote in favour of Scottish independence would likely damage the UK's international standing, and raise questions about its permanent seat on the UN security council. While it would have less real clout, Scotland could gain "a more distinct" voice on the world stage and play "a valuable role" in Europe.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's deputy first minister, did not directly dispute the committee's main findings. She said there were rare examples of even-handedness in the report but said the committee's main focus was to undermine the case for independence. The report was "clearly written from the partisan perspective of a group inherently opposed to the concept of independence and primarily concerned with protecting the interests – what it sees as the status, the prestige and crucially the pro-Trident position – of the UK," she said.Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's deputy first minister, did not directly dispute the committee's main findings. She said there were rare examples of even-handedness in the report but said the committee's main focus was to undermine the case for independence. The report was "clearly written from the partisan perspective of a group inherently opposed to the concept of independence and primarily concerned with protecting the interests – what it sees as the status, the prestige and crucially the pro-Trident position – of the UK," she said.
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