The Times, 22nd December 2016
Nicola Sturgeon suggested this week that Scotland could follow the Norway model and stay in the single market after Britain’s departure from the EU even if the rest of the UK pulled out.
But no one should be fooled. This is another move by the first minister to use Brexit to push the SNP’s overarching agenda: Scottish independence.
Mrs Sturgeon argued that under her scenario Scotland would have immigration powers devolved from Westminster, which would allow it to continue offering free movement of EU workers even if England opted out. Ms Sturgeon said that this would not mean a “hard border” between Scotland and England because migrants would still face housing and employment checks in England if they travelled there from Scotland.
On so many levels this is a non-starter. The plan would never be agreed by Westminster or indeed by other European countries worried about their own secessionist movements.
It is also impractical because it would almost certainly require a hard border. Mrs Sturgeon knows this. But she also knows that Brexit could be a catalyst for a second independence vote if she plays her cards right.
She has to sound reasonable while setting the UK government impossible targets to appease the Remain vote of the Scottish people. She is doing pretty well so far.