An SNP minister has said an independent Scotland would not need another referendum to join the European Union. Angus Robertson said membership of the bloc would be an integral part of his party’s case in any vote on independence.
The UK voted to withdraw from the EU in 2016 and this month marks the third anniversary of the country leaving due to a protracted political dispute. However, voters in Scotland overwhelmingly backed Remain and the SNP believes Brexit has increased support for independence.
Senior party figures have consistently backed an independent Scotland joining the EU, without being explicit on the route back in. Robertson, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s Constitution Secretary, effectively merged the independence and EU issues in an interview with Holyrood magazine.
