Bit of a crowd today at the Playfair Library to hear @joannaccherry present a lecture on Scotland's future - an independent country in Europe. It's packed! #scotlandsfuture @TheSkotia is filming .... 
She says the brexit process has shown how limited devolution can be & how a smaller state in a union can be treated. #scotlandsfuture - ie well by EU & badly by Westminster: even before brexit, when the snp sought delivery of promises made in 2014 and after. /1
Scottish media have been excluded from briefings a& Scottish MPs shouted down - all adds up to a democratic deficit. @joannaccherry also citing several instances that highlight the reality of devolution - ie Scotland is in a position where we are expected to follow England's will
This cd not happen to a member state of the EU as small states have a veto equal to larger ones on large issues. The fight is over to keep the uk in the EU but there is still a route for Scotland to re-enter and is favourably looked at within the EU.
This has to happen cross party and the constitutional convention is an important part of this and the policy papers coming on key Indy issues. Questions still to answer on economy, hard border and how Scotland re enters the EU. Work already ongoing on answers - research etc
Attitudes within EU have changed too - Scotland wd be welcomed if it applied Re issue if border checks need work to fully understand which in part depends on how England chooses to trade with the rest of EU. Westminster has already said there will not be checks in Ireland.
Ideally the next ref wd be on the same basis as 2014. Understandable why Johnson does not want to (he wd prib lose!) Hoping that Johnson's position becomes untenable is 1 thing but also worth looking at other ways to test the legal case for Holyrood to be able to choose.
Answer to this is not clear - legal opinion split: test case required in any bill Holyrood passes. This cd then be referred to the Supreme Court (ultimately) and then it wd be up to the court's interpeetation of what is within the competence of Holyrood. @joannaccherry does not
see a downside to losing this case & sees an upside to winning it. Even if the case lost, the court wd likely illuminate w/ a view on a country's parliament voting for sthg & being prevented from enacting it cos of a union. This is a landmark speech btw - she is v clear and open
Now questions - 1st up re entry requirements to the EU and in particular Ian Murray saying in Parliament that Scotland's deficit wd preclude EU entry. @joannaccherry refers questioner to the research/fact check on this by The Ferret which found it misleading.
Next q re make up of the constitutional convention and importance of including grassroots organisations. @joannaccherry is in favour of wide range of voices. Shd include EU citizens, unions, community groups etc
Q3: wd an Indy scotland need a new constitution? JC says yes and work to be done on taking input not only from lawyers but also citizens. Issues around do we want a 2nd chamber? A constitutional court? These issues require to take a wide spread of opinion.
Q4 will the uk gvmnt be legally allowed to campaign for No? (EU was not allowed to campaign for@remain during brexit) JC says there are questions around the legality of current Unionit cinema ads for example. It needs to be regulated in any case.
Q5: re border with England esp given 60% of country's trade is with England. JC says policy papers are on the way. Right now we are facing a border with Ireland and one with the Eu. Cites Ireland's success in shifting its main market We need to find practical solutions like this
Q6 re uk gvmnt "looking at role of the courts"? JC concerned about this - particularly with regard to modern human rights. New Law Officer seems to simply wish to rely on the Magna Carta. Bit out of date. Gvmnt trying to limit courts cos they have lost so many cases.
Q7 is EFTA a half way house initially in Indy? JC says it is complex: Scotland cd join EFTA but Eu agreement still required to get into the EEA. Brexit negotiations upcoming will hit fisheries hard. Her view is that Scotland needs a voice.
Q8 re fear of nationalist movement and despair re Tory majority. JC balance between the movement of supporters and focusing on those yet to be convinced. The opinion polls are looking good and no Indy campaign is underway. We're at 50% as a start now we need to answer questions.
