[0762]

That is your opinion SCO and consistent with previous ones that you have said in the past. However, it won't surprise you to hear that I disagree with that view and I think you underestimate the SNP/Scot govt. 2020 will present many political events in England, particularly around Brexit, and the SNP are following a route that is not requesting permission for a Section 30 Order - they are presenting the case in a cordial fashion. Also the position of NI and its different status and regard to a referendum wrt the obligation of the same Brexit govt could well be more relevant than you'll ever realise. There are also other factors relative to the Treaty of Union 1707 that I'm not even gonna go into yet because it depends on the future actions of this Brexit govt in England! Re your mention of a border issue, that is an old "red herring" that will be redressed after consultation - the main point is "it is doable"! It is not a sudden new problem that just cropped up!!!! We've had years to think about it and debate!! As for the "unknown"(?) re Spain and their Catalan stance, there has been no formal example of any Spanish govt official ever actually threatening to block Scotland entering the EU, the main theme being if the people of a sovereign country like Scotland wanted membership of the EU, they would get it. The other thing I'd point out is that Scot govt officials, incl Nicola Sturgeon, have not been "sitting on their hands" re the EU and are building alliances, have been for ages - they have built up a strong bond with senior EU officials who acknowledge Scotland's predicament as a country that wants to remain in the EU. There is a lotta stuff going on "behind the scenes" that you are unaware of but the SNP are busy and do indeed have a plan and not just one plan either!!