I think, for many of us who saw what was taking place, we began to realise that this was part of the UK game plan. I think it took many of us by surprise, that that became a big issue. So, the idea that Scotland, as an independent country, could not be or would not be part of the EU was completely bizarre. But that is the one constant of Scottish politics, that you can always rely on Jim to change his mind. Jim being Jim, he has now changed his mind, of course.

Fishing was one and, to a limited extent in one limited area, a certain religious element was another one.īut by 2014 there was a much more positive view of Europe, which had come about for a variety of reasons, some of which were political and some of which were due to the change of stance that the SNP had had, led by Winnie Ewing and then subsequently by Jim Sillars, with the ‘independence in Europe’ tagline that Jim was very influential in bringing forward. It had gone from, if not a hostility, then a desire to be convinced, in the 1970s, with two areas of Scotland voting against EU membership for a variety of reasons. The mood in Scotland towards the EU has also changed quite substantially during my lifetime. For example, when I first became a Minister in 2007, it was expected that you had to seek permission – though it was always granted – to attend European Councils, to be part of that discussion. For Northern Ireland, for Wales and for Scotland, devolution was established when the UK was part of the EU, and the links that were set up post-devolution took account of that. You’ve got to actually put it in a wider context than that. Michael Russell (MR): Yes, I think it was a very considerable factor. As an adult, he enjoys daydreaming, art and writing strange stories.UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE): Was the UK’s membership of the European Union, and the prospect that independence might make it difficult for Scotland to join the EU, a factor in the outcome of the 2014 independence referendum? He now lives in Brighton with his girlfriend and their two cats. As a child, he enjoyed daydreaming, art and writing strange stories. He grew up in the small village of Pulborough in the south of England. His shows include the use of handmade props, sounds and improvisations. Mike Russell has staged many storytelling performances of his work over the last fifteen years. 'Strange Medicine' was released in May 2016 and the novella 'Strungballs' was released on Halloween the same year. 'Nothing Is Strange', was released in December 2014. Author bio : Mike Russell is a British author best known for his books Nothing Is Strange, Strange Medicine and Strungballs.

Nothing Is Strange by Mike Russell