Scotland has a right to independence, says European Left

In a statement agreed to by members last weekend at its general assembly, the party said the UK had “extreme asymmetry” and the General Election this year would not see “a change of policy on Scotland” no matter who ends up in government.

It also criticised the lack of a written constitution in the UK which means there is “no clear way” to identify how Scotland can be given a route to decide its future.

The statement argued that Europe and European institutions will have a “significant role” to play in the politics of the UK over the coming years, adding that the European Parliament would be “important” in making the case for a referendum.

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf calls on UK Government to end arms sales to Israel

The party - also known as the European Left - brings together more than 40 left-wing and progressive organisations including large parties such as Germany’s Die Linke and Syriza in Greece.

Democratic Left Scotland, which was represented at the assembly, welcomed the decision both as a boost to the campaign to highlight Scotland's right to decide and to raise the profile of the debate on Scotland's constitutional position in other European countries.

The agreed statement said: “The next UK election must happen in the next 12 months and is likely to see a change of government. However, it will not see a change of policy on Scotland.

“Given the extreme asymmetry of the United Kingdom, this means decisions about Scotland's future lie in the hands of the English electorate. Further, the lack of a written constitution means that there is no clear way to identify how Scotland could be given a route to determining its own future.

“The European Left Party notes that Scotland has expressed its wish for a second independence referendum through the Scottish Parliament in both the current and previous parliamentary terms. It has been blocked by the British Government, which commands only minority support in Scotland.

“The Party of the European Left believes that Scotland has the right to self-determination and notes that Europe and the European institutions will play a significant role in the politics of the UK over the coming term of the European Parliament.

“We believe that the Scottish Parliament, as the representative of the Scottish people should have the right to call a referendum and that the current situation where the right to hold a referendum on Scottish independence so that the Scottish people can decide their own future.”

The party highlighted in its statement there has been sustained support in polling for Scotland’s right to hold a referendum, with the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) also supporting this demand.

READ MORE: Channel 4: Labour MP 'admits' to party's 'grubby' antics in ceasefire debate

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has previously stated that an independent Scotland would be welcome in the European Union.

After she was asked in 2020 what the chances were for an independent Scotland to join the EU, she said: “Any European State, which respects and promotes the values of the EU, may apply to become a member of the Union.”

The party’s statement added: “The European Parliament will be important in making the case for a referendum.

“This is because of likely negotiations over the Windsor Framework governing the status of the north of Ireland and a potential renegotiation of the relationship between the EU and the UK if there is a Labour government.”

The Windsor Framework – which came into effect in October last year - is a post-Brexit legal agreement between the EU and the UK that adjusts the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol was designed to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland by requiring the former to align with EU law in some areas, but it continued to be a source of tension as it meant goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain needed to prove they complied with EU law.