Scotland Powerless to Veto UK’s Possible Secession From EU: Expert

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Mark Hirst – Scotland has no right under existing constitutional law to veto a UK referendum on the country's secession from the European Union planned for 2017, Nick Barber, Associate Professor in Law at Trinity College, Oxford told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.


"As a matter of existing constitutional law the position is clear; it is the UK Parliament that would decide whether we should leave the EU," Barber said.
Barber, who represents the United Kingdom Constitutional Law Association, added that Scotland's constitutional "right to leave the Union" did not extend to a right to veto other constitutional issues related to the whole of the UK.

Scotland Says ‘No’ to Independence: Final Results

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With all ballots counted, Scotland has chosen to stay in the United Kingdom with 44.7 percent in support of independence and 55.3 percent rejecting it. The referendum saw the turnout of 84.59 percent. Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, accepted his defeat before the results were counted. "Our referendum was an agreed and consented process. Scotland has decided No at this stage to become and independent country and I accept that verdict," Salmond said Friday. UK Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed Friday the results of the Scottish referendum that saw the victory of those voting against independence and "kept our country of four nations together." The UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg posted on Twitter Friday: "In a dangerous and uncertain world I have no doubt we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous together than we ever could be apart". If the majority of people in Scotland voted for independence, the region could become independent on March 24, 2016.

Spanish Prime Minister Warns Scotland, Catalonia Against Secession

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Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned supporters of Scotland and Catalonia’s secession that they might face considerable difficulties while reapplying to the European Union if vote for independence.


"If a part of a state becomes separate, it becomes a third party in relation to the European Union,” Rajoy stressed speaking to members of Spanish parliament on Wednesday.
Reapplying may take years, as it requires the ratification of all the 28 member-states. “I’ve no sympathy at all for these processes. They’re bad for the state in question and for the whole of the European Union,” Rajoy stated, asked by a Basque lawmaker if he would help an independent Scotland stay in the European Union.
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100 days ahead of referendum: Gordon Brown warns of losing Scotland just like US once

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About 790,000 voters in Scotland have signed a declaration in support of the independence in 100 days prior to the September's referendum. The chief executive of the official pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign, Blair Jenkins, is absolutely sure that the referendum would achieve its target receiving one million of signatures. This goal was set by the Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond and one of the biggest supporters of the independence campaign.

Salmon said that receiving 20% of the Scottish electorate was an absolutely unprecedented case in Scotland's political life.

Independence of Scotland: US remembers rule of territorial integrity only when it comes to its allies - expert

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United States wants UK to remain a 'strong, robust, united, and effective partner' US President Barack Obama says. That he says alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron at a press conference following the G7 summit.

Scottish government says independent Scotland retains close ties with rest of UK and US in event of positive vote in referendum, which to be held on September 18th. Jaume Castan Pinos, Assistant Professor of International Politics and Political Theory at the Department of Border Region Studies of the University of Southern Denmark comments on situation.

Scotland legalizes same-s3x marriage in 105-18 parliament vote

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Scotland’s first same-se-x marriages are set to take place later this year. The Scottish parliament on Tuesday voted to pass the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill by a margin of 105-18, with the first unions set to be conducted in the autumn.

Gay Marriage in Scotland“I believe this bill will have a hugely positive impact on our society and on the health and well-being of LGBT of people in our country,” MSP Jim Eadie said during the debate. “Scotland now has one of the most progressive equal marriage bills in the world. Allowing the option of gender-neutral marriage ceremonies will provide genuine equality for all, including transgender people.”