[tlarkworthy]

8 years outside of EU will not help innovation (research grants, EU students) or economy (CAP payments, increased borrowing costs).

Spain has reiterated today it will not make Scotland's entrance into the EU easy (http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/17/spain-indepe...)

[lsllc]

Surely if Scotland isn't automatically conferred membership of the EU, then the same applies to newly created state of England, Wales and NI? And it will be as equally difficult for E+W+NI to re-enter the EU as it will be for a newly independent Scotland?

Surely?

[ColinCera]

The UK will be an altered state, not a newly created one; its membership status in the EU won't change at all.