(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Scotland would vote against seceding from the United Kingdom, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Sunday Times. 53 per cent of respondents would vote "No" in a proposed referendum asking them whether they agree with negotiating a settlement with Britain so that Scotland becomes an independent state, up three points since September.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The majority of people in Scotland would vote against seceding from the United Kingdom, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Sunday Times. 53 per cent of respondents would vote "No" in a proposed referendum asking them whether they agree with negotiating a settlement with Britain so that Scotland becomes an independent state, up three points since September.
Conversely, 31 per cent of respondents would support Scotland’s independence.
The Kingdom of Scotland was an independent state until May 1, 1707, when the Acts of Union established the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In a 1997 referendum, voters in Scotland supported the creation of a legislative assembly with tax varying powers.
In May 2007, Scottish voters renewed their Parliament. The Scottish National Party (SNP) finished in first place with 47 of the legislature’s 129 seats, followed by the Labour party with 46 mandates. SNP leader Alex Salmond became first minister in a 49-46 Scottish Parliament vote, with the support of the SNP and the Greens. Salmond has vowed to call a referendum on Scotland’s independence.
In August 2007, the Scottish government introduced a "national conversation" website, which includes a white paper on independence titled "Choosing Scotland’s Future." Salmond described the document as "the starting point for the conversation and the people of Scotland can now carry it forward to reach an informed decision on their future." Salmond wants a referendum on independence to take place in 2010.
In August, Tavish Scott was elected the new leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Scott vowed to support the SNP’s initiative of holding a referendum on independence, but said that he would ask people whether they would prefer a more powerful Scottish legislature within Great Britain instead of full independence.
On Oct. 20, British prime minister Gordon Brown—who opposes Scotland’s independence—said that Scotland needs the UK in times when the Royal Bank of Scotland and HBOS are facing a major financial crisis. Brown declared: "It is the Union" that makes a rescue package possible. (…) When things are difficult we are in a position to support each other."
Polling Data
The SNP wishes to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in due course. Voters would be asked whether they agree or disagree "that the Scottish government should negotiate a settlement with the Government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state." How would you vote if such a referendum were held tomorrow?
|
Oct. 2008 |
Sept. 2008 |
Jul. 2008 |
|
|
I would vote Yes (i.e. for Scottish independence) |
31% |
34% |
36% |
|
I would vote No (i.e. against Scottish independence) |
53% |
50% |
48% |
|
Don’t know |
14% |
13% |
14% |
|
Would not vote |
2% |
2% |
2% |
Source: YouGov / Sunday Times
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,266 Scottish adults, conducted from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2008. No margin of error was provided.
