Another Scottish Anomaly…or Two?
I have been trying to understand Scottish higher education. Under European law, it is illegal to charge fees to any student who comes from an EU country, if the host country (Scotland) does not charge fees. Otherwise it would be an unfair subsidy to the host country students. But it is legal to charge Welsh, English, or Northern Irish students, because they come from the same, er, country. Eh?
Here’s another intriguing what if. What if Gordon Brown decides not to call a referendum on the European Constitution Treaty, could the SNP administration hold a referendum anyway? IT would be an intriguing idea, as although the SNP would no doubt campaign for a Yes vote (along with Labour and the Lib Dems), they would still also be able to emphasise a distinctive Scottish approach separate from the UK.