SCOTLAND | A Failed Independence?

Has Scotland lost its best hope for independence? In March 2023, Humza Yousaf was elected as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and as the First Minister of Scotland. He will now take charge of efforts to lead the country to complete independence. But has Scotland missed its best chance to become a sovereign state?

Although Scotland emerged as a kingdom in the ninth century, in 1603, James VI of Scotland became King of England, thus uniting the crowns of the two countries. Just over a century later, in 1707, the two parliaments merged to form Great Britain. However, in 1997, Scotland voted to re-establish its own parliament. This paved the way for an eventual referendum on independence on 18 September 2014. However, Scottish voters rejected this by 55% to 45%. Since then, Scotland has made a case for secession - especially after the Brexit referendum, which saw English voters pull Scotland out of the European Union. But even though support for independence appeared to be rising, the numbers now seem to be falling. So, is the dream of Scottish independence now over?

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*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:47 Scotland and the ‘Independence Moment’
02:02 Scotland: Location and Population
02:29 History of Scotland: From Kingdom to Union with England
03:09 Scottish Devolution and the Independence Referendum
04:45 Scotland after the Independence Referendum
07:23 Problem 1: British Resistance to Independence
08:45 Problem 2: Brexit and a Hard Border
10:24 Problem 3: The SNP and the Independence Movement
11:22 Has Scotland Lost its Best Chance for Independence?

*SOURCES AND FURTHER READING*
Scottish Parliament
Scottish Government
Scotland Act 1998
Scottish Independence Referendum Bill
Supreme Court Judgement on Scottish Independence Referendum | November 2022
What Scotland Thinks

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- The contents of this video and any views expressed in it were not reviewed in advance nor determined by any outside persons or organisation.
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#Scotland #Independence #UnitedKingdom #SNP

[JamesKerLindsay]

There have been some interesting developments in Scotland recently. All this has raised real questions about the future of the independence movement. So, do you think that Scotland has missed its moment to break away? Or is this a temporary problem and it still remains on course to become a separate state? Let me know your thoughts and comments below.

Oh, and please check out my new book. If you’re interested in independence movements, this really is a great introductory guide. :-)

Many thanks!

[Ricky_Baldy]

It's quite incredible that the Scottish first minister is a second-generation British Pakistani and will be negotiating with second-generation British Indian about the partition of Britain.
If one attempted to utter that sentence in serious company twenty years ago, they'd be laughed out of the room.

[weepingscorpion]

There have actually been 3 countries added to the UN as a result of independence movements since the turn of the millennium (so January 1st, 2001), the third one is East Timor or Timor-Leste which became a member on September 27th, 2002. Interesting, 17 prior to that Switzerland had become a member but it's been independent for centuries so I'm not including that here.

My wife is Scottish, so this is a debate I'm following a lot. I'm Faroese myself but as Scotland is our nearest neighbour and despite our own independence movement being essentially dormant, it's also relevant to us, as it might start our movement up again if Scotland does become independent.

[trevordaviesable]

It must be remembered that Scots had no vote when Scotland joined England and were unable therefore to have any say in their countries desires. Now they should be given the opportunity to part as England has had the opportunity to leave the EU.

[edwin]

An independent Scotland will become a reality. This is a matter certain after the Brexit. England’s future is a Swiss model, a rich independent state with considerable migrant population and excluding Northern Ireland etc.

[eddiegillies]

You seem to have forgotten that a total of 65 countries have claimed their independence from British Empire or The United Kingdom and never asked to return.

[eugenegvozdetsky]

Which do you believe is more likely now: the reunification of Ireland or Scotland gaining independence?

[davidorrell]

Is there any other country in the world that has rejected its own independence? Scottish people really must be insane.

[tyronejoshua]

Another Friday
Another amazing video from professor Ker-lindsay

[PEdulis]

Interesting thoughts but even Professor (for economics) Mark Blyth, a Scot himself, who previously was sceptical of an independent Scotland now advocates for it since he sees a clear benefit for Scotland's economy outside of the UK.

[imck]

I expected better from a professor. Spain has said it wil not stop Scotland joining EU. Why the UN would stop Scotland joining I don't know that wasn't explained either and if England was to treat Scotland like that it shows how they view Scotland. If Scotland is the burden the Westminster establishment and English journalists and politicians often claim them why stop it leaving ?

[علي-شثب]

*Every prime minister who wants independence from the British monarchy ends up resigning!*

[ronbaird]

Scotland is not like Catalonia as it was never a nation. Scotland was railroaded into a Union as a full partner. This was by means of avTreaty. If the UK can leave the Treaty of Europe then Scotland should have a route out of this rotten Union.

[wotdoesthisbuttondo]

We Scots didn't vote for independence which is a foreign concept encouraged by UK hating Irish Mel Gibson in the first place, he never gave Scotsmen the jobs of being extras, he filmed it in Ireland and had a bunch of Irish people impersonating us Scots to try and make us appear hateful of English people which i find rather offensive.

[Irene-imxi]

Historically, becoming an independent country required bravery from the people with strong movements forcing the issue. People fighting for their independence think of the end-goal, not about economic or other consequences. Sadly I don't think Scots have that fighting spirit or just don't care enough. Independence is never gained through political parties.

[tomtaylor]

The Dream is real and it occurred starting in the 1770s in America. And it was won by people who immigrated from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales as well as others.I’m American and know many people in England who would love for Scotland to do their own thing

[jimf]

Independence remains electorally in the balance for two main reasons.
1. The failure to explain the ridiculously simple currency situation and the related workings of a fiat currency issued by a monetarily sovereign state. (This really shouldn't be an issue. Historically, the finest works on the subject have been written by Scots and Scotland has a highly successful financial sector that is about 2.5 times that of England on a per capita basis.)
2. The intense fear felt by many NO voters of the wickedness and cruelty they expect from England upon independence. (Yes. England has made a huge impression on Scotland: not a good one.)

[hilestoby]

Love your videos professor. They are great in presenting the context. I was wondering for another video idea if you could do one on Columbia governments relations with the cartels and negotiations for ceasefires.

[stevemerchant]

Thanks for tackling the Scottish Independence question.

[ian_b]

Scotland wasn't "dragged out of the EU". The choice to remain in the UK was explicitly a choice to participate in, and abide by, democracy at the UK level. There is no independent polity of Scotland to be "dragged out".