In the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, the No camp (aka Project Fear) put the frighteners on the electorate by claiming Scotland could not continue with its present currency, its international credit rating would suffer, and readmission to the European Union would not be guaranteed.
Working my way around the doorsteps of some of Edinburgh’s most disadvantaged areas in the last few days of the campaign, I met Eastern Europeans who were terrified; they had wanted to vote Yes, but a gang of No campaigners had been round before me, telling them that they would be thrown out of the country in the event of a Yes vote. I was appalled and pointed out that independence was more likely to shield them from such a prospect. They were upset, they wanted to believe me, but I think they were too scared.
In the face of these threats, Scotland wobbled, and voted narrowly for the status quo. The establishment at Westminster had prevailed. They were the devil we knew, the life we already lived, business as usual.
Now they are not.
Not long after Scotland voted for the “safe” option, a horror story began to play out at Westminster. Attempting to corner the English far right, the Tory Prime Minister called a referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. Far from cornering them, the Prime Minister had given the xenophobic little Englanders the platform they needed.
The rest is still sinking in. An unedifying campaign was fought between two grotesque gangs of posh private schoolboys, all obsessed with immigration. Keep Johnny Foreigner Out – vote Leave. We’re already keeping Johnny Foreigner out – vote Remain.
The unthinkable happened. England and Wales voted to Leave, with enough numbers to pull Northern Ireland and Scotland – who voted to stay – with them.
Sterling crashed overnight, to its weakest level in more than three decades. The UK’s international credit rating was changed from stable to negative. Scotland is being pulled out of Europe against its will. All the threats of Project Fear came true – but not because of independence. It’s because Scotland voted to stay in the UK.
Thank God for Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland. Even according to the English media, she has emerged as the only political leader with any credibility; the only leader with a plan. With calm determination, she is exploring the options for keeping Scotland in Europe, whether by new arrangements with European officials, or with a new referendum on independence.
This time, everything has turned on its head. This time, independence will rescue us from the dark unknowns of Brexit. Independence will save our trade agreements and our structural funds. It will guarantee the existing free movement of people in and out of our country. Those poor, scared Eastern Europeans that I spoke to will feel safe in their Edinburgh home again, and I – their counterpart living in the Netherlands – will be able to relax with my own rights as a European citizen secure once again.
Independence, this time, is the status quo.
I have started a Facebook page called Scotland in Europe, for Scots like me who live all over Europe and who feel strongly about Scotland’s future in the European Union. Stay up to date with the latest developments, and be part of the conversation, by clicking the like button.
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About Catriona
I love to tell stories. My career has covered many bases, but communication has always been at the heart of everything I do. From journalism, politics and PR to art and design; from broadcast animation to published picture books and copy editing, it’s all about making people look and listen.