Is this what it's come to? Sturgeon suggests crazy 'REVERSE GREENLAND' deal for Scotland
NICOLA Sturgeon has reached desperate new levels in her bid to keep Scotland in the European Union (EU) - by suggesting the country adopt a madcap “reverse Greenland” deal.
Nicola Sturgeon has suggested a 'reverse Greenland' deal could keep Scotland in the EU
In 1982, Greenland, an autonomous island which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Denmark remained.
The move proved incredibly successful for Greenland, who went on to establish their own economic links outside of Brussels' bureaucracy.
Lars-Emil Johansen, former President of the island and current chairman of the council, said this week Greenland’s brave decision to go it alone should inspire Britain, who voted to Leave the EU earlier this summer.
He said: “It was a huge deal for domestic politics in Greenland. The doomsday prophets said that Greenland could never get an exit deal that would be as beneficial as the conditions under EC membership.”
However, despite this positive endorsement of leaving the EU, the Scottish First Minister today indicated Greenland’s decision should instead inspire Scotland to remain.
Lars-Emil Johansen said Greenland's decision to leave the EU could inspire the UK
She pointed to Greenland as a bizarre inspiration for Scotland staying in the 28-country bloc
Highlighting an article about the possibility on her Twitter page, Ms Sturgeon said: “Interesting piece by a Denmark based academic - Could a ‘reverse Greenland’ arrangement keep Scotland in the EU?”
The piece in question is a blog by the London School of Economics, who put forward the suggestion the UK remains in the EU - albeit only represented by Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sturgeon is desperately attempting to keep Scotland in the EU
It reads: “The UK would still be a member state – voting rights reasonably reduced to match the population of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“The question of who would represent this member state, on what mandate, and following what procedures of coordination would have to be solved within the UK. Possibly, the role of Scottish ministers and bureaucrats from Northern Ireland would have to be central.
“The ‘reverse Greenland’ arrangement sketched above might solve the issue for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, but it would, of course, leave another problem on the table: namely the relationship England and Wales would have with the EU and the single market. Inspiration for this relationship would have to be found elsewhere as there is little guidance that can be offered by the Greenland case.”
Greenland's decision to leave the EU is being exploited by Nicola Sturgeon
Ms Sturgeon’s suggestion was immediately shut down by social media users.
One said: “Why are people so desperate to stay part of a dying economic community? Lack of national confidence.”
Another responded: “What sort of independence is letting Brussels rule us?”