The Independence Debate
6. European Union and International Relations
International posture tests the definition of independence in the public sphere. This framework is explicit: Scotland would not apply to join the European Union.
The Peoples Future Scotland
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5.6 Asylum Policy
Scotland would operate its own asylum system in line with international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and other relevant treaties. Scottish authorities would decide asylum claims under Scottish law and procedures.
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5.5 Rights of UK Citizens in Scotland and Scots in the UK
Existing residents would retain their rights. UK citizens lawfully living in Scotland at independence would have a clear route to Scottish citizenship or permanent residence with full rights to live, work and access services.
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5.4 Citizenship Rules (Including Dual Citizenship)
Scottish citizenship would be established by law on independence. Automatic or simplified routes would apply to British citizens habitually resident in Scotland, those born in Scotland, and those with a qualifying parental or grandparental connection.
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5.3 Full Immigration Control and Visa Policy
Scotland would have full sovereign control over its immigration system. Holyrood would set policy based on Scotland’s economic, demographic, and social needs.
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5.2 Goods Border Arrangements
Goods moving between Scotland and the rest of the UK would be managed through a combination of mutual recognition of standards where possible, a trusted-trader scheme for most commercial volume, digital pre-clearance, and risk-based, intelligence-led checks.
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5.1 Free Movement of People with rUK
British and Scottish citizens, and those with lawful status, would continue to travel, live, work, study, and access key services without routine passport controls or immigration formalities.
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5. Borders, Immigration and Citizenship
Border policy is where independence meets daily life. People cross the Scotland–England border constantly for work, family, education, and trade. A settlement that ignores that reality will fail in practice even if it succeeds on paper.
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4.8 Defence Industry and Procurement
Scotland would seek continued access to UK and NATO procurement programmes where there is mutual benefit, while developing its own requirements and export opportunities.
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4.7 Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Protection
A dedicated Scottish cyber and critical national infrastructure capability would be created to work closely with UK and NATO cyber centres.
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4.6 Intelligence and Security Service (Scottish Equivalent of MI5/MI6)
Scotland would establish its own national security and intelligence service responsible for domestic security, counter-terrorism, and foreign intelligence relevant to Scottish interests.
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4.5 Military Bases and Expansion
Key military bases — including Faslane/Coulport, RAF Lossiemouth, and other significant sites — would be retained and, where strategically useful, expanded under the partnership model with the United Kingdom and NATO.