The governance of justice and internal security in Scotland: between the Scottish independence referendum and British decisions on the EU

This article examines how the governance of justice and internal security in Scotland could be affected by the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014. The article argues that it is currently impossible to equate a specific result in the referendum with a given outcome for the governance of justice and internal security in Scotland. This is because of the complexities of the current arrangements in that policy area and the existence of several changes that presently affect them and are outside the control of the government and of the people of Scotland. This article also identifies an important paradox. In the policy domain of justice and internal security, a ‘no’ vote could, in a specific set of circumstances, actually lead to more changes than a victory of the ‘yes’ camp.     

Better Off Out? Britain and Europe

The largest ever rebellion of Conservative MPs on Europe took place in October 2011 with 81 Conservative MPs defying the Conservative whip to vote for a referendum on Britain's continued membership of the European Union. This resurgence of dissent over Europe has been fuelled by the crisis in the eurozone. The Conservative party is now an overwhelmingly Eurosceptic party, but Conservative Eurosceptics are divided over whether the Government should use the opportunity of the eurozone crisis to take Britain out of the European Union, or whether it should seek to negotiate a looser arrangement, or do nothing at all. Conservative policy on Europe has been further complicated by the coalition with the Liberal Democrats, and by the consequences for the British economy if the eurozone disintegrates. Public opinion is also divided. British policy on the European Union remains ambivalent and muddled because British aims are inconsistent, and because there is no consensus on where Britain's interests truly lie.     

英国公投退欧及影响的对策分析

英国全民公投退欧引发全球关注,无疑将会对英国、欧盟乃至世界的政治经济格局产生重大影响,尤其是欧洲一体化的未来及欧盟的应对将备受关注。此次全民公投退欧是英国基于历史和现实的多重因素考量后的选择,本质是基于对英国自身利益的维护,但最终左右退欧进程的决定性因素是公投背后的合法性要素是否得以满足。英国退欧不仅给正在稳定发展的中英、中欧政治关系带来了诸多不确定性,也会对中英经贸合作、中欧投资协定谈判、中欧自贸区联合可行性研究等产生重要影响,因此我国应尽早做好各项准备以抵御英国退欧带来的各种潜在风险。