Scottish Independence Movement Notes

Historical Background and Causes

• Battle of Bannockburn (1314): A significant historical event in the context of Scottish identity and independence.
• Union of the Crowns (1603): James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, uniting the crowns but not the parliaments.
• 1700s Economic Devastation in England: England faced economic problems. This led to the Act of Union 1707.
• Act of Union (1707):
  • England and Scotland united under the flag of Great Britain on May 1, 1707.
  • The Scottish Parliament was dissolved.
  • Scotland was represented by 16 members in the House of Lords and 45 members in the House of Commons.
  • Motivations:
    • English Act of Settlement (1707): England feared Scotland would choose their own king and implement policies misaligned with English interests.
    • War of the Spanish Succession: England did not want Scotland to align with France.
    • England paid off Scotland's debt to incentivize the union.
    • The Acts of Union was passed by both countries to become one nation.
• Battle of Culloden (1746).
• Scottish National Party (SNP) Founded (1934).
• UK Referendum in 1997.

English Oppression in Scotland During WWI

• Impact of WWI: The war changed the political direction in Scotland.
• Voting Rights Issue: A proposed bill to give working-class citizens the right to vote was dropped when the war started.
• Feeling of Underrepresentation: Scots felt underrepresented by the Liberals due to the government's handling of the war.
• Distrust of Union Members and Socialists: The Prime Minister distrusted Union members and Socialists, considering them a danger to the war effort.
• Glasgow Rent Strike of 1915: A protest against landlords who raised rent on substandard housing while men were at war.

Scotland's Independence Referendum (2014)

• Date: September 18th, 2014.
• Question: Whether Scotland should be an independent country.
• Voter Turnout: Over 85% of eligible voters participated.
• Results: 45% voted for independence.
• North Sea Oil Reserves: Discovery gave Scots hope for financial independence.
• Financial Considerations: Scotland would lose financial support from the UK and might not be able to use the UK’s currency.
• Referendum Result: 55% voted against independence, 45% voted for independence.
• Nearly half of voters consistently say they would vote yes if a second referendum were held.

Potential Issues Associated with Scottish Independence

• Revenue & Public Finances: North Sea oil and gas profits fluctuate, affecting pro-independence arguments.
• Currency: Choosing its own currency would give Scotland control over monetary and fiscal policy, but research suggests sticking with sterling would have benefits.
• Export Costs: A significant portion of international export markets are in the EU, but Scotland’s biggest export market overall is the UK.

Scottish Government Policies for an Independent Scotland

• Apply to join the United Nations and European Union.
• Implement border arrangements that best suit Scotland’s needs.
• Establish a written constitution to further international human rights treaties, further protecting the rights of the people of Scotland.

International & Global Implications

• Diplomatic Relations.
• Security.
• Trade Negotiations/Borders: Businesses operating in a highly integrated market would be disaggregated to meet the demands of two separate jurisdictions.

Drawbacks to Scottish Independence

• Diminished International Influence: Independence would reduce the influence of both the United Kingdom and Scotland.
  • The UK's membership in groups like the G7 and G20, along with its seat on the UN Security Council, would no longer extend to an independent Scotland.
• Currency Concerns:
  • The Scottish independence movement's desire to use the British Pound would mean Scotland would be under UK’s monetary policy.
  • This arrangement would allow the UK to control Scotland’s currency without dealing with any consequences for problems with its economy.

Benefits of Scottish Independence

• Rejoining the European Union: 62% of Scottish voters voted to remain in the EU.
  • Scotland could petition to rejoin the EU as a member state.
  • Potential issue for other nations with separatist movements.
• Scottish Oil & Gas Industry: Could help sustain an independent nation.
  • Potential problem as left-leaning voters of the Scottish National Party often support environmental protections.
• Scottish voters would be more fully represented by their representatives in Edinburgh than in London
• For certain demographics of Scotland, the promise of a Scottish central bank, a new Constitution, and righting historical wrongs against the Scottish Gaelic language are tempting.

Current Independence Platform & the SNP

• The Scottish National Party (SNP) remains a dominant force in Scottish politics.
  • Prominent pro-independence leaders include: Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf (current leader), John Swinney.
• Party Platform: Centered around social democratic ideals.
  • Includes free school meals, a lower cost of living in urban centers, free public transit, and a greater focus on humanitarian issues throughout Scotland.
• Opposition to Brexit: SNP strongly resisted Brexit.
  • If Scotland were to become an independent state, the SNP demands it be a member of the European Union.
• Political Power: As of 2025, the SNP holds majority power in the Scottish parliament with 61/129 MPs.
  • The Scottish Labour and the Green Party hold another 29 seats.
  • The Scottish Unionist Party holds only 30 seats in Holyrood.

Celebrity Breakdown

• Pro-Remain: Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, Judi Dench
• Pro-Independence: Franz Ferdinand (band), Sean Connery, Robbie Coltrane