Scottish independence divorce negotiations ‘would be tougher than Brexit’

Scottish independence divorce negotiations over the share of assets and liabilities would be “different and much tougher than Brexit”, a report published today has found.

But the “extraordinary failure” of UK politics in the aftermath of the EU referendum may act as a cautionary tale for Scotland to avoid the mistakes of recent years in the event of independence.

The paper by Dr Kirsty Hughes of the SCER (Scottish Centre on European Relations) says there are more differences than similarities between independence and Brexit.

Independence campaigners congreate in Glasgow city centre in July 2018. Picture: John Devlin

It examines nine key issues and compares leaving the EU with a deal, including an indefinite customs union, with Scotland leaving the UK and being in/acceding to the EU.

Dr Hughes said: “There are, unsurprisingly, similarities and differences between the Brexit process and a likely future independence process. But overall the two are more different than similar.

“This is not surprising given that the UK is a sovereign state (whether in or outside the EU) while Scotland today is not a state but would become one on independence.”

On the divorce talks, the paper says there would be some similarities between independence and Brexit when discussing money.

But it adds: “Independence talks over splitting assets and liabilities would be different and much tougher.

“There would be no equivalent of the Northern Ireland backstop.”

But the Brexit turmoil of the past two years could provide the pro-independence campaign with an example to avoid.

“There are surely lessons to learn from 2014 and 2016 but the extraordinary failure of UK politics in the face of the Brexit result is more a cautionary tale than something likely to be directly replicated in future Scottish politics,” it adds.