andrewducker (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
andrewducker) wrote2012-02-21 09:48 am
andrewducker) wrote2012-02-21 09:48 am
Amy international law experts around?
I am confused by some of the reporting around Independence, so hopefully someone can clear things up for me*.
My understanding is that if Scotland becomes independent, then that ends the United Kingdom (which is named after the uniting of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into one Kingdom). We are not left with The United Kingdom, and "that bit which used to be part of it, but isn't any more". We have two new countries.
So why is it that I keep reading stories about how Scotland will have to renegotiate X and Y with Europe, NATO, the UN, etc. - which also assume that England+Wales+NI won't have to negotiate anything at all. Surely either both new nations will have to negotiate their relationship with various organisations, or both will inherit the relationship from the nation they are successors to.
Anyone care to put me right? Or at least tell me that everyone disagrees?
*Although the experts also seem to be confused, so probably not.
My understanding is that if Scotland becomes independent, then that ends the United Kingdom (which is named after the uniting of the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into one Kingdom). We are not left with The United Kingdom, and "that bit which used to be part of it, but isn't any more". We have two new countries.
So why is it that I keep reading stories about how Scotland will have to renegotiate X and Y with Europe, NATO, the UN, etc. - which also assume that England+Wales+NI won't have to negotiate anything at all. Surely either both new nations will have to negotiate their relationship with various organisations, or both will inherit the relationship from the nation they are successors to.
Anyone care to put me right? Or at least tell me that everyone disagrees?
*Although the experts also seem to be confused, so probably not.
no subject
If France and Germany decide that the UK no longer exists and Westminster has to re-apply for everything, then Westminster will jolly well have to re-apply for everything.
So how difficult this process will be for Westminster depends, I think, on how popular we are with the rest of the world.
... So. Yeah. I think England/Wales/Whatever they decide to call themselves, will probably have to re-apply for membership of everything.