How do the common past events of Scotland and England help to understand the complex relationships of today?

Scotland in the UK 

The new King of England recalled from his appointment the very close ties of England with Scotland. It thus underlines the importance of Scotland within the United Kingdom. 

Scotland is a region that is part of the United Kingdom, which also includes Wales and Northern Ireland. The capital is Edinburgh. Scotland Coptic more than 800 islands and is therefore the 2nd largest territory of the United Kingdom. Its population corresponds to 8.3% of the total population of the English state. Scotland has a particular language in addition to English which is Scottish Gaelic and a flag. 

Independent for a long time, Scotland was reunited with the United Kingdom in 1707. It does not have a written Constitution. The history of Scotland is above all marked by an almost continuous rivalry with England. Its history with the United Kingdom is complex and tumultuous. Today, Scotland is a nation that is becoming more and more important, especially regarding its opinion on Brexit.

How do the common past events of Scotland and England help to understand the complex relationships of today?

1. The unification of two nations by a common history still functioning today

1. The history of the unification 

Throughout the Middle Ages, wars between the Scottish and English kingdoms followed one another. In 1296, the English King Edward I proclaimed his suzerainty and invaded Scotland. But the war continued and ended with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328 and Scotland regained its independence. But the hostilities did not completely end.

In 1502, the Treaty of Perpetual Peace signed between James IV of Scotland and Henry VII of England attempted to put an end to hostilities, in particular by the marriage of the daughter of the King of England with the King of Scotland. The two crowns were united in 1603 with the accession to the English throne of James VI of Scotland, the closest heir to Queen Elizabeth I, who died childless. He will try to unify the two nations. However, England and Scotland remain two different political entities and the decisions are not the same for each country.

On January 16, 1707, a hyphen was signed which created the Kingdom of Great Britain with a king and a Parliament in which between 45 Scottish deputies and 16 Scottish peers.

Scotland and the United Kingdom share a complex history which led to the union of these two first sovereign nations to become a single state. Scotland is not just a region as one might hear in France but has special skills.

1. How devolution works between the UK and Scotland

Devolution, initiated in nineteen-ninety-seven 1997, is one of the most important changes for the United Kingdom. It is a process of transferring power and competences from the United Kingdom to the Scottish Parliament and government. Scotland has a parliament, not an assembly. The Parliament, established in Edinburgh, is the most autonomous of the British provinces, in particular since the "Scotland Act" which extended the powers of Scotland. It is made up of 129 members elected for 4 years. Devolution was a revolution by creating the Parliament and the Scottish government. This Parliament has the power to pass its own laws in a large number of areas, the devolved matters. London retains the “reserved matters”. 

The Scottish Parliament has jurisdiction only over laws relating to internal affairs: health, education, culture, agriculture, housing. But Scotland, unlike the other provinces, has primary powers and competences that have been devolved to it. It has its own legal system and is therefore competent on matters concerning Justice and the courts. Parliament controls over £27bn of spending, over 60% of all Scottish public spending The British Parliament retains reserved areas and in particular most sovereign functions: foreign policy, defense, finance, employment, transport, energy policy and social security. 

Thus, the Scots benefit from the protection and security guaranteed by London, from a larger, more diversified and stable economy, especially during periods of crisis. Scotland can make its voice heard in the world more easily because the United Kingdom has an important place.

Despite common interests in uniting the two nations, there are also points of contention that are multiplying today.

II. Rising tensions and a growing desire for independence between Scotland and the United Kingdom

a.   Revived historical tensions during the middle of the 20th Century 

...