A recently unveiled blueprint by Humza Yousaf assures Scots that they will still have the freedom to live and work in England without border controls, even after gaining independence. The Scottish government report on citizenship outlines that in a separate Scotland, the nation would become part of the existing Common Travel Area (CTA) shared by the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The report emphasizes that there is no contradiction between the Scottish National Party’s plans to attract foreign immigrants, support free movement as part of EU membership, and maintain an open border with England. However, experts caution that adding Scotland to the CTA would require negotiations with the UK government and may conflict with the EU’s free movement Schengen zone, which demands an external hard border with non-member countries like the post-Brexit UK.
First Minister’s Renouncement of British Citizenship
During a press conference in Edinburgh, the First Minister announced his intention to renounce his British citizenship, despite the paper making it clear that Scots can retain their British citizenship if they wish after independence. The report affirms that Scottish citizens who gain Scottish citizenship will still have the freedom to move to England for living or working purposes, regardless of the UK’s points-based immigration system.
The report explains that British individuals residing in Scotland at the time of independence would automatically be entitled to citizenship, as well as those born in Scotland but living elsewhere. Citizenship could also be claimed by individuals with at least one parent born in Scotland or those who have previously lived there for a minimum of 10 years. Additionally, foreign nationals could qualify for citizenship after living in Scotland for five years. This theoretically means that former US President Donald Trump could be eligible for Scottish citizenship since his mother was born in Scotland.
Return to Burgundy Passports
Mr. Yousaf also announced that Scotland would revert to burgundy passports after gaining independence, aiming to align with the EU and expedite entry into the bloc. The report states that Scotland’s passport would follow the EU’s recommended layout, size, and color, although experts caution that the process of joining the EU could take several years.
Duncan Henderson, devolution research assistant for the Institute for Government, tweeted: “An Independent Scotland plans to join the Common Travel Area, allowing citizens to travel, live, and work freely across the British Isles. This conflicts with the requirement to join Schengen as part of EU ascension, but the Scottish Government believes it would get an opt-out.”
Despite experts advising against using Ireland as a precedent, considering the unique circumstances of the Troubles, the blueprint asserts that Scotland would negotiate a similar deal allowing free movement across both the UK and EU. The blueprint emphasizes that Scotland would continue to be part of the CTA and the European single market, enjoying the advantages of free movement of people.
Deal Based on Ireland’s Model
The blueprint states that Scotland would seek a deal similar to that of Ireland, ensuring that no hard borders would be established at land, sea, and air frontiers with the UK and Ireland. Unveiling the document, Mr. Yousaf welcomed any Remainers from England who wished to relocate to Scotland with the aim of regaining EU citizenship. He explained, “We have demographic challenges, we have vacancies in a number of important sectors, private and public. We’re already working on trying to attract more people from the UK to Scotland.”
Mr. Yousaf believes that adopting burgundy passports could facilitate the process of joining the EU. The blueprint affirms that Scottish passports would also adhere to the EU’s standards and technical requirements.
Donald Cameron, the Scottish Tories’ shadow constitution secretary, criticized the SNP’s focus on independence, considering it a misappropriation of public funds and resources, and indicative of their disconnection from the public’s concerns.
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