Scotland’s Dilemma: Competing Demands of Competing Unions

Uncertainty has emanated from First Minister Sturgeon’s announcement that she intends to resign as head of the Scottish Government and the SNP. Presently, the independence movement within this constituent nation of the UK, coupled with a desire to rejoin the EU held by many Scots, must contend with a variety of questions that have yet to be answered. One such unresolved aspect of political discourse being had in the independence debate is that over Scotland’s monetary future. Currency is a complex, multilayered aspect of discussions had on Scottish independence when viewed as an aspect of national identity, thus rendering the creation of distinct lines between unionists and nationalists difficult at best. While politicians in Holyrood attempt to navigate a post-Sturgeon Scotland on both sides of the independence debate, such actors must also reckon with the competing currency demands of the UK and EU. Moreover, such demands, regardless of which union is ultimately victorious, must also account for the opinions of the Scottish public towards their monetary future