Europeans show support for Scottish independence after UK court ruling

Their numbers had been few, however the backdrops had been among the many most iconic in Europe. 

Within the hours after Britain’s Supreme Courtroom handed down a ruling that stops the Scottish authorities from holding a brand new referendum on independence with out approval from London, supporters in cities throughout Europe gathered to wave Scottish flags and make their voices heard. 

At Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, in entrance of Rome’s Colosseum, and on the Auld Alliance pub in Paris — a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower — European pals of Scotland had a degree to make.

“It was a message of assist primarily in the direction of the Scottish folks in saying we have not forgotten [former MEP] Alyn Smith’s enchantment when he stated Scotland did not let Europe down with the Brexit vote, and we should not let Scotland down. So we’re maintaining our phrase as European residents,” stated Sarah De Sanctis in Rome. 

De Sanctis was one in all about 20 individuals who received collectively at quick discover within the Italian capital, many with private connections to Scotland, to indicate solidarity with the pro-independence supporters at 14 rallies round Scotland; and half a dozen throughout Europe. 

“I used to be residing in London when Brexit occurred and I used to be disenchanted. For me, the UK was at all times progressive and open and Brexit was actually heartbreaking,” she instructed Euronews. 

“Mixed with my love of Scotland” — the place she met her South African husband and received married — “it was the proper alternative to do one thing for a rustic I actually actually love, and can hopefully result in the undoing of Brexit because of this,” stated De Sanctis, who works as a contract translator.

Describing the UK as “form of a constitutional jail” — a sentiment echoed on a number of current posts on the 4,000-strong “Italians for Scottish Independence” Fb web page — De Sanctis famous that the UK was in a position to depart the EU, whereas Scotland now could be being instructed it may’t even maintain a vote on whether or not to depart the UK. 

“The Supreme Courtroom determination was disappointing, nevertheless it does not have to cease the independence motion, in a approach it makes it stronger,” she stated. 

Paris supporters rejoice the Auld Alliance

The Auld Alliance between France and Scotland dates again to the tip of the thirteenth century, a notion of diplomatic, cultural and people-to-people ties that has endured greater than 700 years. 

So it appears solely becoming {that a} group of Scottish independence supporters met exterior a pub with the identical identify on the night time of the UK Supreme Courtroom ruling.  

“I really feel that just about every part I admired about Britain and England has gone down the drain over the past ten years or so — in relation to issues like being a law-abiding nation, the mom of democracy, integrity, an impartial media, all this has disappeared,” stated Gilles Robel, a tutorial who teaches British research at a college in Paris. 

“I actually do not blame Scotland for eager to get out, as a result of they really feel that their voices usually are not heard by the London authorities,” he instructed Euronews.

On the time of the 2014 independence referendum, Robel was residing in Edinburgh along with his Scottish husband and was in opposition to independence as a result of he understood it meant that Scotland can be unnoticed of the European Union.

“We had heated discussions at house about it! On the time I felt that membership of the EU was very important and that was one of many arguments utilized by folks against independence. However after Brexit, every part modified utterly.

“I really feel this reference to the EU is totally important, and it looks like independence is the one approach for Scotland to stay part of the EU now,” he added.

Independence supporters in Berlin and Munich

Underneath the illuminations of the Brandenburg Gate within the German capital, a small group of independence supporters confirmed up on a chilly November night time with their Scottish saltires and EU flags.  

Felix Hoffmann is probably an uncommon voice for Scotland, provided that he is by no means visited the nation. A minimum of, not to date. 

“I studied in London and what I discovered actually fascinating at the moment had been the constitutional points, and the democratic deficit already proper after Brexit, when Scotland wished to remain however was taken out of the EU. I used to be shocked and appalled I’d say,” he instructed Euronews. 

Hoffmann, who works for a German-Syrian civil society organisation, stated he additionally cares “deeply” about progressive authorities. 

“I do not assume the federal government in London displays that, however the SNP does.”  

Scottish authorities elevating its profile throughout Europe

The Scottish Authorities has been courting European companions for years, with an increasing diplomatic footprint in its community of Scotland Home hubs (the most recent will open in Warsaw) and bilateral visits — together with lately when the de facto overseas minister paid an official go to to Paris. 

Neil Gray, the Scottish Minister for Europe, instructed Euronews that individuals throughout the continent shall be trying on the occasions unfolding in Scotland after the Supreme Courtroom ruling “and can actually be questioning the democratic values of the UK and whether or not it respects the needs of individuals once they go to the poll field.” 

Grey, who represents a constituency within the West of Scotland, stated that Europeans respect democracy and perceive that individuals “ought to be capable of decide their very own futures”. 

The UK authorities and unionist politicians, he added, can have a tough time explaining why Scotland can’t maintain a referendum when the Scottish folks voted for events in Holyrood which are pro-independence.

“What’s the democratic route by which Scotland can decide its future, and why is it now in any case these years, that the UK is not a voluntary union of countries?”