This blog post is based on a YouTube video titled “Why is the history of the SNP and the EU actually really antagonistic?”

The Scottish National Party (SNP) portrays itself as a pro-European party, especially in recent years. However, a closer look at the party’s history reveals a more complex and often antagonistic relationship with the European Union (EU). This blog post will delve into the SNP’s past actions and rhetoric concerning the EU, from the 1970s up to the present day. This shows that while they have attempted to weaponize Scotland’s pro-EU attitudes they have used misinformation: and even direct lies, to do so.

The 1970s: Opposition to the European Community

Scottish Nationalists are, well, nationalists! And nationalism as  philosophy is anethema to our shared European supranational project. In the 1970s, when the UK first joined the European Community, the SNP campaigned strongly against it. Despite both the Labour government and the Conservative opposition favouring UK’s membership in Europe, the SNP ran a ‘project fear’ campaign warning of disaster if Scotland was “dragged into Europe.” They predicted food shortages, economic collapse, and price rises, ironically similar to the issues we are seeing now with Brexit. They called the opportunity for Scots to work abroad “economic suicide”.  In 1975, every single SNP MP voted against continued membership of the European Community.

The 1980s: A Tactical Shift in Policy

While the party was very much Eurosceptic when Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, Angus Robertson and Alex Salmond joined,  the 1980s saw a shift in the SNP’s rhetoric towards Europe. In 1987, SNP leader Jim Sillars convinced the party to adopt “Independence in Europe” as a policy. However, this was not out of any love for Europe, but a tactical move to make independence seem less isolationist and to counter accusations of being separatist.

The 21st Century: Claims and Reality

Fast forward to the 21st century, the SNP’s rhetoric continued to be pro-European, but their actions often contradicted their words. In 2007, the SNP and the Conservatives joined forces to demand a UK-wide referendum on the terms of EU membership. 

The 2014 Referendum and Beyond

From 2012, in the run-up to the independence referendum, the SNP made several claims about EU membership for an independent Scotland that were later proven to be baseless; including lying to voters about having legal advice.

In 2014, the European Commission officially and catagorically informed the Scottish Parliament that a yes vote in the independence referendum would mean leaving the EU and that there would be no fast-track entry process. 

Despite this, the SNP continued to claim that there was “no risk” to Scotland’s EU status with independence.

Brexit and after 

In 2016, during the Brexit vote, the SNP spent less on the entire Brexit campaign than they did on a single small local by-election. This suggests that while their rhetoric was pro-EU, their actions did not match up. This is backed by exit polls to say more SNP voters voted leave than any other group in Scotland, the largest Scottish demographic being No/Remain. 

The Current Situation

In 2021, it was revealed that the SNP commissioned a feasibility study into how and when an independent Scotland could rejoin the EU. However, they have been doing everything in their power to stop this report from being made public. This raises questions about the SNP’s true intentions and their commitment to EU membership.

The SNP’s history with the EU is one of antagonism and contradiction. While they often present themselves as pro-European, their actions and policies over the years tell a different story. As voters, it is essential to judge politicians by their deeds, not their words, and to make informed decisions based on the facts.

Could an independent Scotland join the EU, and if so: how long would it take? 

Here’s full access to my 2 years research into the question: fully referenced with primary sources including ScotGov, the European Commission, EU treaties, EuroLex, current ascension papers, Scottish Parliament, Freedom of Information responses and more. 

The Copenhagen Concealment