The UK left the bloc on January 31 and, in less than a month, the transition period will also come to an end. It is a new chapter for the country’s national history and should see the UK return to being an independent sovereign state. However, not everyone in the UK has given up on EU membership.
Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson repeatedly rejecting her independence calls, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is determined to hold a second referendum in the spring of 2021.
The SNP leader believes Scots are being “dragged” out of the bloc against their will.
However, while Brexit might have made the case for Scottish independence stronger, it has also made it practically more difficult.
If Scotland were to become independent, it would border a non-EU country, likely requiring infrastructure and border checks between regions whose communities are deeply intertwined – similar to the problem of the Irish border that severely complicated Brexit talks.
Scotland could also be rejected by Brussels due to its current deficit of seven percent of GDP, unless it adopted a strict austerity programme from the EU as well as potentially accepting the euro.
Moreover, new members can only be allowed into the bloc through a unanimous vote from the existing member states – and Holyrood would undoubtedly ruffle feathers if it were to join.
Spain is struggling with secession demands itself, from Catalonia, which means the country could potentially be put off from supporting a newly independent state.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Italian MEP Marco Campomenosi reiterated that the chances of an independent Scotland joining the EU are very low.
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The former Foreign Secretary and SDP co-leader said: “I think we should start moving towards a different attitude to Scotland.
“If they really want to leave, eventually, they must be allowed to leave.
“But they must face up to reality and have a proper and honest debate.
“Are they going to be allowed in the EU?
“Will Spain? With all the problems they face in Barcelona…
“You know, there are five European countries that still do not allow Kosovo to become independent. They are afraid of legitimising the separation from countries.”
The peer added: “And let’s not forget Belgium.
“They sit on a very uneasy arrangement between two parts of Belgium, and they are not going to legitimise the splitting of a country.
“Once you allow it, you open up a can of worms.”
