Sections
Magazine
Latest Issue

As Britain’s death toll from Covid-19 passes 100,000, there is one burning question: why did so many have to die? Tom Clark, Gaby Hinsliff and Philip Ball chart the persistent failures—from both the chief scientists and the politicians. Former head of the Supreme Court Brenda Hale takes on the human rights sceptics and Rana Mitter asks whether China's grip on Hong Kong means the end of the historic freedoms in the city.

Read Now Or Checkout the archive
Previous
January/February 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
Events
Next Event

Watch: How do we stop a generation from sleepwalking into retirement?

Previous
Watch: Homes for all—what new social and affordable housing can do for Britain
Watch: The 2020 Think Tank Awards Ceremony
Watch: What next for pensions? Why the 2020s are the crunch decade
To the archive
Podcast
Latest Episode

The Prospect Interview #169: Andrew Marr on break-up Britain

Previous
The Prospect Interview #168: Karachi Vice, with Samira Shackle
The Prospect Interview #167: We are Bellingcat, with Eliot Higgins
The Prospect Interview #166: The unofficial Covid-19 inquiry
To the archive
Magazine Politics

How Remain could lead to Scottish Independence

It's often suggested that Brexit could lead to the break-up of the UK. But could the reverse be true?

By Martin Kettle  
July 19, 2018
August 2018

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Could the UK staying in actually lead to Scotland going? Photo: PA

When England and Wales voted to leave the EU in 2016 but Scotland voted to stay, many—not least in the SNP—thought Brexit would break the Union. Theresa May’s absolute insistence that the UK as a whole had voted to leave seemed designed to provoke Scots into revolt.

It hasn’t worked out that way. Try as she might, Nicola Sturgeon has failed to persuade Scots that a break with Europe should herald a…

Register today to continue reading

You’ve hit your limit of three articles in the last 30 days. To get seven more, simply enter your email address below.

You’ll also receive our free e-book Prospect’s Top Thinkers 2020 and our newsletter with the best new writing on politics, economics, literature and the arts.

Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with newsletters, subscription offers and other relevant information.

Click here to learn more about these purposes and how we use your data. You will be able to opt-out of further contact on the next page and in all our communications.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to letters@prospect-magazine.co.uk

Martin Kettle

Martin Kettle is a Guardian columnist

More stories by Martin Kettle

More From Prospect