Tartan Curtain

The Tartan Curtain is a term of reference to the change in status of the Scottish border with England in the event that Scotland becomes an independent sovereign state, as supported by the Scottish National Party.^[1][2] It has also been used colloquially to refer to more general differences in policy between Scotland and England due to Scottish devolution.^[3]

The term has been used in parliament, the press and in public discussions associated with Scottish Independence.^[4][5][6] It carries the negative connotations of the Iron Curtain which divided Europe during the Cold War.

The constitutional consequences of a newly independent Scotland joining the European Union remain unclear, but if Scotland has to join the EU as a new member state it will not necessarily inherit the vetoes enjoyed by the rest of the United Kingdom. Part of the issue relates to the Schengen treaty, which allows free movement between European Union member states. The United Kingdom exercised an opt out from this treaty in order to maintain complete control over its own border.

The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee report entitled "The foreign policy implications of and for a separate Scotland" contains the following quote as Written evidence from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: "The impact of an independent Scotland joining Schengen, were it to wish or be obliged to do so, would be significant, creating a UK land border with the Schengen area for the first time (the Republic of Ireland is not a member of Schengen)."^[7]

The term itself could relate to an Independent Scotland's physical border with the rest of the UK as well as differences in the currency and membership of international organisations such as NATO.^[8][9][10]

References

1. Rowley, Tom (2014-09-14). "Scottish independence: where the divide would cut deepest". ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
2. Douglas, Max Colchester and Jason (2014-09-12). "English Town on Scottish Border Caught in Middle of Independence Vote". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
3. "Accountancy chief reveals concerns on audit reports". HeraldScotland. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
4. "Party address". www.scotsman.com.
5. Weir, Keith (May 19, 2011). "Measuring up the Tartan curtain". Archived from the original on May 26, 2011.
6. "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 25 Nov 2004 (pt 9)". publications.parliament.uk.
7. The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee report, "The foreign policy implications of and for a separate Scotland"
8. "SNP votes to end anti-Nato policy". BBC News. October 19, 2012.
9. "Independence 'risk to UK policy'". BBC News. October 18, 2012.
10. "George Osborne: independent Scots could lose pound". The Independent. September 7, 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26.