CataloniaMariano Rajoy: When UK leaves EU, Scotland goes with it
Spanish prime minister ‘extremely against’ talks between Edinburgh and Brussels.
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By
CYNTHIA KROET
6/29/16, 4:03 PM CET
Updated 6/29/16, 4:07 PM CET
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Wednesday Madrid would oppose any separate negotiations between Scotland and the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote.
“The United Kingdom leaves and with it all those who make up the United Kingdom,” Rajoy said after a meeting of 27 EU leaders in Brussels.
“I want to be very clear … Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union.”
“I am extremely against it, the treaties are extremely against it and I believe everyone is extremely against it. If the United Kingdom leaves … Scotland leaves,” he said.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to hold talks with the leaders of the European Commission and European Parliament on Wednesday. Scotland voted overwhelmingly (62 percent) in favor of staying in the EU, reviving talk of another referendum on independence from the U.K.
Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party won the most seats in a general election on Sunday, but fell short of a governing majority. All the major Spanish parties — with the exception of the far-left Podemos — are against an independence referendum in Catalonia.
Mariano Rajoy: When UK leaves EU, Scotland goes with it



Mariano Rajoy: When UK leaves EU, Scotland goes with it
Spanish prime minister ‘extremely against’ talks between Edinburgh and Brussels.
![]()
By
CYNTHIA KROET
6/29/16, 4:03 PM CET
Updated 6/29/16, 4:07 PM CET
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Wednesday Madrid would oppose any separate negotiations between Scotland and the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote.
“The United Kingdom leaves and with it all those who make up the United Kingdom,” Rajoy said after a meeting of 27 EU leaders in Brussels.
“I want to be very clear … Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union.”
“I am extremely against it, the treaties are extremely against it and I believe everyone is extremely against it. If the United Kingdom leaves … Scotland leaves,” he said.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to hold talks with the leaders of the European Commission and European Parliament on Wednesday. Scotland voted overwhelmingly (62 percent) in favor of staying in the EU, reviving talk of another referendum on independence from the U.K.
Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party won the most seats in a general election on Sunday, but fell short of a governing majority. All the major Spanish parties — with the exception of the far-left Podemos — are against an independence referendum in Catalonia.
Mariano Rajoy: When UK leaves EU, Scotland goes with it
Boris Johnson not running for Tory leader and PM
‘That person cannot be me,’ says Johnson in surprise announcement.
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By
Tom McTague
6/30/16, 12:54 PM CET
Updated 6/30/16, 2:02 PM CET
LONDON — Boris Johnson will not run for the post of Conservative Party leader and U.K. prime minister, he announced on Thursday, saying he preferred to support the next Tory government and “stick up for the forgotten people of this country.”
The former London mayor’s surprise decision followed the equally unexpected announcement earlier on Thursday that his fellow Leave campaigner Michael Gove, the justice secretary, was throwing his hat in the ring for the Tory leadership.
After laying out his vision for an inclusive country that welcomed immigrants and would have greater influence around the world thanks to last week’s vote to leave the EU, Johnson dropped a bombshell by saying: “Having consulted colleagues, and in view of the circumstances in parliament, I have concluded that person cannot by me.”
“My role will be to give every possible support to the next conservative administration,” said Johnson.
Gove said he had decided to run for leader on his own, rather than backing Johnson, because “Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.”
Gove acknowledged that he had repeatedly claimed that he did not want to be prime minister, but said that “events since last Thursday have weighed heavily with me.”
Cracks in the Gove-Johnson alliance first became apparent when an email sent by Gove’s wife Sarah Vine leaked Wednesday. The email, intended for Gove, urged her husband to seek specific assurances about his future role before announcing his support for a Johnson candidacy.
U.K. Home Secretary Theresa May and Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, another Leave campaigner, also announced their intention to run.
Boris Johnson not running for Tory leader and PM



I wouldn't see that as a huge issue. Scotland can hold their independence referendum during the time it will take for the Brexit to actually happen, and depending on the results they can apply directly for re-admission once Brexit is effective (if, by then, they are independent). Whole process could take like 3-4 years, and Catalonia might have held their own referendum by then too.
It's not about logistics. Spain and a few other European countries as well don't want Scotland to separate and get back in the EU because it will embolden other separatist movements like Catalonia
they're not comparable situations
I'd imagine Scotland is worth more to the EU in than out too.