Uncertainty is the New Certainty: Charting Scotland's Course in an Age of Disruption

Four months after the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, and the day the Scottish Government has published its 20 page draft bill for a second independence referendum, the future looks a bit uncertain. Actually, make that very uncertain (which is not to make a judgement on the rights and wrongs of either development). The UK as a whole has made a decision about leaving the EU and that’s what’s going to happen. Hoping for something else is fanciful, in my opinion, and now we have to get serious about planning for the new world we are creating for ourselves.

And as for a second independence referendum, that is now a matter for Scotland’s Parliament. Those of us outside have plenty to do thinking through the range of issues it raises, irrespective of personal views about the matter.
Cumulatively, these two events change the terms of trade for everyone, literally and figuratively. And they are not just political weather events which we can sit out with a few decisions postponed or by keeping our heads down - this is economic and political climate change. We need to get ready on that basis – no bystanders allowed.