Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon is essentially the only functioning U.K. opposition to Britain’s exit from the European Union. As such, Scotland’s prime minister and her pragmatic approach are the last, greatest hopes for a continued, united Europe.

(Source: Reuters) Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland.

For months now, Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom has been clinging to a meaningless formula: “Brexit means Brexit.”

But some people in Britain have already thought further and distinguished between a hard and a soft exit from the European Union – the difference being whether the country retains access to the European single market.

Others draw a distinction between a clean and a dirty divorce, according to how long the tug-of-war persists between London and the de-facto E.U. capital of Brussels.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has introduced a new variant into the debate: She is calling for a flexible Brexit that allows different privileges to the various parts of the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland. Ms. Sturgeon is threatening to hold another referendum on Scottish independence if the smaller nations’ interests aren't given adequate consideration.

Ms. Sturgeon's fight for a Brexit version with as little economic damage as possible is desperately needed.

The minister made this clear on Monday at a meeting with Ms. May and the heads of the other devolved governments. Two-thirds of Scots voted to remain in the European Union in the Brexit referendum in June. Ms. Sturgeon wants Scotland to retain its access to the single market – even if the rest of the United Kingdom gives it up.

But it would be almost impossible to realize this.

If Scotland were to receive special privileges after a British exit from the European Union, the city of London would also demand special rights in order to remain an attractive financial center. Other cities such as Oxford or Cambridge could follow with wishes of their own in order to maintain the influx of international students and scholars. The kingdom would drift even further apart than it already has. That is not in the interest of Ms. May, the leader of the Conservative Party.

It’s unlikely, however, that Ms. Sturgeon would actually call for a second referendum on independence in the foreseeable future. Such a vote is possible only with the agreement of the central British government in London. Also, polls show advocates of Scottish independence are still in the minority.

Nevertheless, Ms. Sturgeon's fight for a Brexit version with as little economic damage as possible is desperately needed. Scotland's head of government is the only functioning opposition in the Brexit debate. The center-left Labour Party has maneuvered itself into the political wilderness through internal power struggles and its policy positions.

As a voice of reason from Edinburgh, Ms. Sturgeon is ultimately fighting for a pragmatic solution with regard to the entire United Kingdom – and is thus Europe's best ally.

Katharina Slodczyk is Handelsblatt's London correspondent. To contact the author: [email protected]