An Angus student has taken up the fight to keep Scotland’s place in both the UK and the EU.
Ben Lawrie from Monifieth has written a letter to all local MPs, MSPs and MEPs in the wake of Thursday’s Brexit vote.
The mental health activist has told politicians that Scotland could negotiate a similar arrangement as Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The St Andrews University student said: “I’m worried that there’s a big push for independence now because of Brexit and people don’t realise that there’s actually a chance that Scotland could keep it’s place in the EU and the UK.
“Nicola Sturgeon doesn’t need to put a second independence referendum on the table just yet – Scotland can literally have the best of both worlds.
“To me this is without a doubt the best option for Scotland and the most democratic one.
“I worry however that this solution will be overlooked by the media who will fan the flames of a second independence referendum as they know that this is a controversial issue in the eyes of the Scottish public and will attract the most readers.”
Senior officials have previously confirmed it is be possible to redraw member state’s borders so only Scotland would be subject to EU treaties.
Such an action was carried out in the 1985 Greenland Treaty, which saw the devolved government in Greenland secede from the EU but still remain a part of Denmark.
Mr Lawrie’s letter read: “Whilst I am disappointed with the recent referendum result I believe that there is a way for Scotland to retain it’s EU membership without holding another independence referendum and that there is also a strong mandate for doing so.
“Currently, Denmark is a member of the EU.
“Greenland and the Faroe Islands are both parts of Denmark but are not in the EU.
“I believe that the UK could negotiate a similar arrangement where Northern Ireland and Scotland hold EU membership whilst being members of the UK whilst England and Wales leave.
“As 55% of the Scottish electorate voted to remain in the UK and 62% of the Scottish electorate voted to remain in the EU, I believe that this solution has a large mandate and would be the best thing for Scotland and I hope that you will consider doing everything in your power to push for this outcome.”
Mr Lawrie intends to stand for the Scottish Lib Dems in Monifieth in the 2017 council elections.
