SOME of the similarities between the referendum on the EU and the Scottish referendum on independence are quite incredible.
The accusations and denials of Project Fear in particular are the cause for much deja vu.
Yesterday, the Treasury become involved and the opposing side questioned their supposed neutrality.
For most of us who went through that process, we sit here north of the Border regarding it all with not a little bemusement.
The EU referendum doesn’t seem to have made much impact on the consciousness of Scottish voters yet.
Perhaps this is because we still have elections to our own Parliament to get out of the way first, or perhaps it is because this in no way will be as exciting as the referendum we just had.
But the debate and the vote is important. Whatever you think of the economic modelling provided in yesterday’s Treasury document, there is unanimous agreement that leaving the EU will cause the UK’s economy to shrink.
Whatever happens in the event of the UK leaving the EU will have a major impact on Scotland.
The negotiations, the trade deals. Do we do as the Norweigans do and pay money into the EU and accept free movement to allow free trade?
Or do we do as the Canadians do and sign a bilateral deal? Do we take our chances out in the open under World Trade Organisation rules?
Then how will the Europeans react to us? Will they make our exit easy? But then if we stay in the EU, what does that mean for our borders, for our economy? Will we be sending millions of pounds that could be better spent on the NHS on schools? Is the EU still worth it as an investment?
These are big questions, and we don't have very much time to hear the answers and see the working out.
In today’s National we have pieces from Jim Sillars and Sir Harry Burns. You’ll travel hard to find two men more respected and respectable.
Between now and June 23 we’ll do our best to provide you with fair, balanced coverage to help you find answers to those questions.
Jim Sillars: Capital calls the tune in EU – that’s why we should go
Harry Burns: The alternative to Europe is all power left to Westminster
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