The opportunity window for a new Scottish referendum standing before the Brexit aftermath

• Autor(a) principal: Mauricio, Alexandre Albuquerque
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10071/17780
• topic: Scottish independence; Referendum; Brexit; European Union; Ciência política; Referendo; Independência nacional; Escócia; Reino Unido; União Europeia

On 18th September 2014, the Scottish citizens were able to choose between their country’s independence and remaining inside the United Kingdom. On their unique and historic referendum, the results were agreed upon popular vote as it would be expected in a modern democracy. At that time, 55% of Scottish Voters choose to remain inside the United Kingdom against the 45% that choose Yes on independence. One would think that an event of such reach would settle the issue upon Scotland’s Independence, however that would not be entirely true. The Losing side came forth with a more optimistic view upon their new goals. Some years passed and finally in June 2016, the Scottish Nationalists had an opportunity showing up in the form of the European Union Referendum Act of 2015. This Act would enable the referendum that gave shape to Brexit, leaving the choice among the British citizens of being in or out of the European Union. On 23th June of 2016 the referendum took place and in the morning after the results were made public. The United Kingdom was leaving the European Union. Inside the referendum results, was a surprising fact that gave way for the Scottish Nationalists a new opportunity to propose another independence referendum. The results, expressed that 62% of Scottish voters, choose to remain Inside the European Union. This large percentage, showed the will of the Scottish Nation to stay inside the European Union. Upon these facts, a debate rose on the matter of a proposed Second Scottish Independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May clashed together into a fiery debate upon the need of the Scottish People and the resolving of the Brexit negotiations. Comparing the two Scottish opportunities on Independence is vital to understand under which circumstances is the New referendum viable and helpful to the Scottish Nation.