Neither Scotland nor Wales can expect to achieve political independence unless they can also achieve economic independence

The idea that independence for Wales or Scotland must be mandated by a referendum has gained currency and become most people’s assumption, but there’s no legal or historical basis for it. If we want independence, growing the economy matters far more than winning a referendum.

In 1956, Malta voted for full integration into the UK by a margin of 77% to 23%; eight years later it voted for full independence by 54% to 46%. We can’t guarantee the same outcome in Scotland.