Scotland, Wales mull new country in case of Brexit: Leaks
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People react during a pro-Scottish independence campaign rally in central Glasgow, Scotland
Authorities in Scotland and Wales are reportedly discussing a strategy to break away from mainland Britain and establish a new country if the United Kingdom chooses to exit the European Union.
Preliminary talks have kicked off between the Welsh Assembly and the Scottish government on a possible split from Britain, The Independent cited leaked documents from the UK’s Cabinet Office as saying on Friday.
According to the documents, the two sides are also exchanging views on plans to construct a tunnel connecting Scotland to Wales via the Isle of Mann, a projected estimated to cost £7bn ($10bn) and funded partly by the EU.
Edinburgh and Cardiff have also come up with a number of name suggestions, including “Celtic Union,” for the new state they seek to form after a potential Brexit.
Britons are set to take part in a referendum on June 23 to decide whether the UK should remain a European Union member state.
British Prime Minister David Cameron is among opponents of the Brexit.
In February, Cameron agreed a package of changes to the UK’s membership of the EU after talks with the 28-nation bloc in Brussels.
The deal guarantees that Britain will never be forced to bail out members of the Eurozone. It also gives Britain the right to supervise financial institutions and markets to preserve financial stability.
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