SpiritedWolf So the last 40 years or so? I think a lot of fabulous things have happened in the last 40 years or so. I might not be thrilled about neoliberalism and damage to the environment either but people seem to forget or take for granted: Greater pay equality for women, decent maternity leave, some paternity leave, minimum wage, civil partnerships, equal marriage, child benefit and child tax credits, better medical care, less industrial pollution, green energy, cleaner water, increased life expectancy, the internet, technological advances, creative industries, taking domestic violence and child abuse seriously....
Yes, and virtually all of that is due to our membership of the EU and its commitment to the Four Freedoms, and its pre-requisite of signature of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The EU is founded on neo-liberal principles, in fact it is the epitomy international action of neo-liberalism, as it is all about opening up competition between the member states, liberalising the market and removing barriers i.e. state controls to trade (the "single market"), and is based on Adam Smith's basic principles.
So if you want socialism and don't want neo-liberalism, you can't have the EU. I believe North Korea has expressed an interest in negotiating with an independent Scotland, so maybe that's a possibility instead.