| Author (Person) | Hughes, Kirsty |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Scottish Centre on European Relations |
| Series Title | Policy Paper |
| Series Details | No.2, May 2017 |
| Publication Date | May 2017 |
| Content Type | Report |
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The Scottish Centre on European Relations (SCER) was launched in March 2017 as a new, independent and unaligned Scottish EU think tank. SCER) aimed to inform, debate, and provide up-to-the-minute, high-quality research and analysis of European Union developments and challenges. It would focus on pan-EU issues as well as having a particular focus on Scotland’s EU interests and policies. SCER would provide in-depth, impartial research and analysis on Brexit – looking at EU27, UK and Scottish interests and debates. SCER would also carry out up-to-the minute policy research on a range of key European Union issues including the future of the EU at a time of multiple challenges; the migration and refugee crisis, and the EU’s turbulent neighbourhood.The Scottish Centre on European Relations issued in May 2017 a policy paper, Scotland: What Strategy as Brexit Talks Get Under Way?, by its Director, Dr Kirsty Hughes. The Brexit talks got under way in June 2017. Scotland had major interests and concerns in those talks and in the repatriation of powers to the UK and Scotland, and in the various, wide-ranging impacts of Brexit. This paper outlined key areas of strategic interest and argued that it would be hard for Scottish politicians – of all parties, not only the Scottish government – to have a major or direct influence on the talks. This paper outlined a number of key areas, in particular: + Money, EU & UK citizens and borders: The eventual deal to ensure a soft border between Ireland and Northern Ireland may have many implications for Scotland and needs closely watching, but it may only be relevant in part to Scotland. + UK-EU comprehensive trade deal: The UK is currently heading towards a relatively hard Brexit, outside the single market and customs union, with negative implications for Scotland’s trade with the EU as there will be new non-tariff barriers. Scottish politicians will find it hard to influence these talks. + Transition deal: The best transition arrangements for the UK – after it leaves the EU in March 2019 and before a full UK-EU27 deal is agreed some years later – would be to transition via the European Economic Area. Most of Scotland’s political parties – those which support staying in the EU’s single market – should back this. If May rejects this route, it will be vital to avoid a hard transition – one that is abrupt, inadequately planned and that creates uncertainty. + Policy and regulatory choices: In the absence of clarity from the UK government, Scottish politicians and parties should set out their desired regulatory structures and which of the EU’s 34 regulatory agencies the UK should aim to stay associated with. They should also set out clear proposals for new UK and Scottish regulatory structures. + Repatriation of EU powers and devolved competences: Political battles are already under way over repatriation of agriculture, fisheries and environmental policies. Full return of these powers to Scotland would require Scotland to have significant powers with respect to future UK trade policy. A partial return of powers will also require rapid choices to be made between different policy options in these areas – both at UK level and in Scotland – in particular whether the Scottish government would aim to keep policies closely aligned to EU ones. + Migration policy: The UK looks likely to establish a more restrictive migration policy under Theresa May. Scottish interests in a more open migration policy will need to continue to be argued for – whether through flexibility in UK-level migration policy or through devolution of some aspects of migration policy. The latter currently looks unlikely. + Scotland EU relations: The Scottish government’s diplomatic efforts across the EU in the last year have been well received. But the EU27 are unlikely to take Scotland’s interests into account when negotiating with the UK. Nicola Sturgeon’s push for Scotland to be represented at the table is unlikely to happen. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source https://www.scer.scot/wp-content/uploads/SCER-Policy-Paper-2.pdf |
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| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
