Scottish independence: the way to go?

Abstract

Since its 2007 general election victory, Scotland‘s SNP (the Scottish National Party) has been promoting the broadening of devolution for Scotland and, since its re–election in 2011, it has been taking steps toward holding a full independence referendum, which is planned for 2014. In October 2012, Scotland was granted the constitutional power to hold such a referendum, however, the issue of an independent Scotland poses a number of important questions, many of them yet to be fully answered. This article looks at the issue of Scottish devolution and subsequently Scottish independence, and discusses the particular problems connected with the notion of an independent Scotland.