McSmörgåsbord: What post-Brexit Scotland can learn from the Nordics

by Lesley Riddoch, Eberhard Bort (Editor)

The Nordic countries have a veritable smörgåsbord of relationships with the European Union, from in to out to somewhere in between.
So, what does that mean for Scotland?
Well, somewhere in this incredible diversity of relationships with Europe is an arrangement that’s likely to be good for Scotland too – strangely enough, maybe more than one. Inside or outside the UK, Scotland wants to keep trade and cultural links with Europe – that much is clear. But is the EU really the best club in town for an independent Scotland?
Or would Scots benefit from ‘doing a Norway’ – joining the halfway house of the EEA and keeping the Single Market but losing the troublesome Common Fisheries and Agriculture Policies?
Would an independent Scotland need the support and shelter of another union – or could the nation stand alone like the tiny Faroes or Iceland?
These tough questions have already been faced and resolved by five Nordic nations and their autonomous territories within the last 40 years. Perhaps there’s something for Scotland to learn?
The unique combination of personal experience and experts’ insights give this book its hands-on character: pragmatic and thought-provoking, challenging and instructive, full of amazing stories and useful comparisons, enriching the debates about Scotland’s post-Brexit future as a Nordic neighbour.
Scotland’s response to Britain’s divided Brexit vote has been positively Nordic – Scots expect diversity and empowerment to be entirely possible – whilst Westminster’s reaction has been decidedly British. One singer – one song. One deal for everyone – end of. Lesley Riddoch
Of course, the majority of Nordic nations are eu members. But perhaps the eea is a closer fit for Scotland? Perhaps, too, a viable halfway house option would boost support for Scottish independence? Especially since Holyrood may not automatically retrieve powers from Europe post Brexit. Paddy Bort

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2017

About the author

Lesley Anne Riddoch (born February 1960) is a Scottish journalist and radio broadcaster. Born 1960 in Wolverhampton, England, Riddoch moved with her Scottish parents to Belfast in 1963, then to Glasgow in 1973, where she attended Drewsteignton, a fee-paying private school then located in the affluent suburb of Bearsden. In 1978 she attended the University of Oxford and graduated with an honours degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. She was also elected president of the student union in 1981. After graduating she studied for a postgraduate diploma in journalism at Cardiff University.

From 1989 to 1994 she presented the BBC Radio Scotland programme Speaking Out and was one of the presenters of Radio Four programme You and Yours. In 1993 Riddoch won a Cosmopolitan woman award for Communication and in 1994 her Radio Scotland production team won best talk show award. One of the Speaking Out programmes took the Silver Quill Law Society award that same year. Between 1999 and 2005 she had her own daily radio programme the Lesley Riddoch Show on Radio Scotland.

Reviews

[Lee Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, informative and well-argued by people who know their stuff, but I felt it was ultimately pissing into the wind. Scottish independence is as far away as ever, and Scotland is going to get the same deal as the rest of the UK. My despair, anger and hopelessness over Brexit remains raw and deep.

[Fiona Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the heterogeneity of the other small Nordic nations and the deals they've made with Europe. It's cool to think small doesn't mean powerless, especially in the context of those nations having similar economies and products as us. Although I didn't fully understand it all, I now have a much better awareness of the difference between EEC, EFTA and EU and what Scotland's options could theoretically be. I'm glad I read this