Monday 4 February 2013

A genuine question for the SNP.


Ever since their assertion that a separate Scotland would have automatic EU membership was blown out the water the SNP have been arguing that they would now negotiate membership from within the UK between 2014-2016.

I may have got this wrong but haven't they been told recently that the EU would only negotiate with member states?

The SNP state that Scotland will be still be part of the UK until separation negotiations conclude supposedly  in 2016.

So my question is this: who in the EU has agreed to change their position regarding negotiating with anybody other than member states?

19 comments:

  1. Grahamski

    You know we know even the dogs in the street know
    Alex makes a non-factual assertion which he claims
    as a racing certainty

    And you and I and the whole of Scotland.
    minus the snp/nat extremists.
    Discount everything he has said as unlikely
    or unbelievable he has lost all credibility amongst
    the normal thinking people.

    Hence conscripting Nicola in as exaggerator in chief
    and this has led to her losing what hard earned Gravitas
    she acquired over her political career.

    which in the round of it is a shame


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  2. So my question is this: who in the EU has agreed to change their position regarding negotiating with anybody other than member states?

    ---------

    Nobody, its just another baseless assertion from the snp who seem to think the UK will let them run a concurrent foreign policy.

    MM (WM)

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  3. It's probably a mistake and I wont make a habit of engaging with you G but as usual you have it wrong. Firstly what makes you think the SNPs position on EU membership has been blown out of the water? Secondly you have completely misinterpreted negotiating with member states. What they EC said in respect of Scottish independence was that they will give their interpretation to a member state, something the UK government is afraid to ask. As far as negotiating is concerned then obviously they do that with non members or else how could non members ever become members?

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    Replies
    1. "Firstly what makes you think the SNPs position on EU membership has been blown out of the water?"

      The fact that the SNP have changed their mind?

      "As far as negotiating is concerned then obviously they do that with non members or else how could non members ever become members?"

      They EU will not negotiate with parts of member states but with member states themselves.

      Delete
    2. The SNPs position is exactly the same as outlined in different papers over the last few years.

      So when Scotland votes for independence the EU will negotiate with the left over UK and not Scotland? Ridiculous

      Delete
  4. Grahamski,
    If the UK government are so sure about what Scotland's "real" position is regarding the EU then why don't they ask the EU the question and put the whole matter to bed? EU membership is important to us but it is by no means the only option open to us and the EU know that.

    I just cannot see the EU kicking out Scotland out of spite and killing off a third of Spain's fishing fleet (god knows they are in enough trouble down there as it is), letting go of the vast majority of the EU's total oil & gas reserves (renewables too) and also killing off every business and industry that both Scotland & the EU rely on such as tourism, food & drink, pharmaceuticals, engineering?
    It would also wipe billions off the Dutch spot market as they no longer have access to Scottish oil & gas to trade? The Dutch & Belgian governments will not take that lying down for a kick off!!

    As an example, the company I work for has over 20,000 hand held terminals throughout the country and have a multi million pound contract with a company in the Czech Republic to repair them for us. Do you honestly believe the business communities in these countries will allow their governments to throw contracts like these away? I think not and neither I suspect do you.

    The assertion that Scotland would not be made welcome in the EU makes no financial sense at all to anyone other than the deluded.

    As much as it may pain you and desimate your belief that governments run countries; trade will dictate where Scotland will sit within the EU and trade alone.

    Money talks my friend and the EU get's plenty of it from Scotland.

    I urge you to open your eyes up to this and not follow the party line.

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    Replies
    1. "If the UK government are so sure about what Scotland's "real" position is regarding the EU then why don't they ask the EU.."

      Why should they? They are neither advocating separation nor anticipating it.

      "I just cannot see the EU kicking out Scotland out.."

      Scotland is not a member state so it can't be kicked out of something it is not in.

      "The assertion that Scotland would not be made welcome in the EU.."

      Who has made that assertion?

      Delete
    2. Well they should be Grahamski. Whether they are advocating it or not, they have a duty of care to the rest of the people in the UK.
      Whether you believe a Yes vote will happen or not the UK government should be exploring every avenue "just in case" and putting contingency in place in case it does happen.
      I cannot believe you are advocating such an irresponsible act. This will not only affect Scots should it happen.

      I thought we were a shoo in for the 2007 election but look how that panned out? Let's hope your more confident about this than the last two elections!

      The people of Scotland are EU citizens. They will remain so.
      I for one would have the EU's backside in their own court of human rights should any of them decide to strip me of my citizenship for excercising my democratic right. Where does that leave me in an independent Scotland?

      The assertion is made everytime the subject arises by again using the technicalities of vocabularly.

      You know as well as I do that not everyone in society commands the same level of mastery of the English language as you do.
      Words can be carefully chosen to assert without assertion.

      Let's just tell the truth in layman's terms that everyone in the country can understand. If that results in a no vote then I can accept that and go with the flow.
      What I can't live with (I have a conscience) is if the people of Scotland make a decision based on the the clever use of words (by both sides) rather than on cold hard facts.

      I urge both sides to put simple truth and facts to the people then we let them decide.

      Let's forget about the referendum for now. From one Labour voter to another; wake up, Scotland is changing and Ed doesn't care. Lammont is merely doing what she's told. If we move another step to court tory voters down south then were toast.

      Jeezo guys come on, wake up!

      Delete
  5. Can I also point out that despite favouring independence I am not a "nat extremist" or "cybernat" (as per Nikostaros) and find it deeply offensive to be tagged with this label. I hold as much love for Alex Salmond as the rest of you (none).
    I am a Labour voter and find it sickening that we are being tarred with this brush for having the vision to see another path.

    Please give it a rest with the jibes guys before you pi$$ the rest of us off. Your doing more damage to the party than good.

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    Replies
    1. Who has tagged you with a nat extremist label?

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    2. Anyone who dares to disagree with the union Grahamski. Don't bury your head in the sand and use the technicalities of vocabulary to hide behind it.

      I've even been told (to my face) that I was a traitor.

      It ain't nice.

      Delete
  6. I see you got your arse kicked over at Rev Stu's.

    I bet you needed that pint...

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  7. Really? I can't say I noticed.

    They are all a bit nuts over there.

    It's like a visit to a virtual Bedlam...

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  8. You never noticed?

    Ah, the blinkered view of the self righteous...

    Still say you needed that pint.

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  9. I may well have needed that pint; however, my thirst was nothing to do with being savaged by the dead sheep of cyber-nattery...

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  10. Speaking of needing a pint, seen Eric lately...?

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  11. well ski I see your blog is going well.. aft aft..

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    Replies
    1. Conan

      Been a bit bored with the campaign recently.

      However with Agnes Robertson quoting himself in a desperate attempt to smear John Mann and the continuing lunacy of SNP NATO policy there may well be a post coming soon...

      Delete
  12. Here's Manuel Barroso explaining the EU situation (which is that a new application would be required):

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20664907

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