Scotland's position in europe is weaker than the SNP would have you believe

Nicola Sturgeon, arguably the SNP’s most effective asset at present, went to Brussels today to deliver a speech about Scotland’s future relationship with the EU. Most of it was as bland and unobjectionable as you might expect. Move along, not very much to see here.

And with some reason. I think it is all but inconceivable that the EU would make it difficult for an independent Scotland to join the club. I also think Spanish (and perhaps Belgian) fears that letting Scotland join would set a dangerous precedent are, for the most part, exaggerated. At the very least I doubt that the threat of a Spanish veto is a good argument for voting No.

Nevertheless, the process of admission might not be quite as straightforward as the nationalists (understandably) suggest. Though the Scottish government is in favour of, for example, reforming the Common Fisheries Policy (which would be good news for Peterhead and the rest of the fishing industry) it’s ability to actually achieve any such reform is, at best, limited.