Euro Crisis Fuels Pro-Independence Movements

October 19, 2012

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (R) shakes hands with the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond (L), July 8, 2012.

Pro-independence parties have won a series of elections across Europe in recent days, many of them campaigning on anti-austerity platforms. Despite calls by the European Union for closer integration to overcome the euro crisis, the popular movement appears to be in the opposite direction.

Scotland already has its own parliament in Edinburgh and some autonomy from London; now the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) wants to break away entirely from the United Kingdom.

First Minister Alex Salmond has secured a referendum on Scotland's future - to be held in 2014. In a press conference, he said Scotland could be a prosperous nation.

"I believe we'll win it by setting out a positive vision for a better future for our country, both economically and crucially, also socially," said Salmond.

Salmond says an independent Scotland would rely on energy economy - becoming the "Saudi Arabia of renewable energy."

But David Maddox, London correspondent for the Scotsman newspaper, says that is debatable.

"The problem with North Sea oil and gas is that the amount of tax collected is extremely volatile. So you can't really judge your future revenues on it. And also it's probably only got 30 years left," he said.