(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in Scotland would vote against full independence from the United Kingdom in a referendum planned for next year, according to a poll by ICM Research released by BBC Scotland. 50 per cent of respondents would reject the proposition put forth by the government, while 42 per cent would endorse it.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Half of adults in Scotland would vote against full independence from the United Kingdom in a referendum planned for next year, according to a poll by ICM Research released by BBC Scotland. 50 per cent of respondents would reject the proposition put forth by the government, while 42 per cent would endorse it.
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, marking the devolution of some powers to the local parliament.
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 next year.
On Jun. 30, as Scotland marked 10 years of having its own Parliament, Mike Jackson—until recently the head of Britain’s armed forces—offered his views on Scotland’s independence, saying, "When it comes to external matters as opposed to internal—defence, security, foreign policy—then Scotland is better within the wider construct of the United Kingdom."
Polling Data
Next year, the Scottish Government wants to hold a referendum to ask the people of Scotland 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." Do you think you would vote for or against this proposal?
|
For
|
42%
|
|
Against
|
50%
|
|
Refused
|
8%
|
Source: ICM Research / BBC Scotland
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,010 Scottish adults, conducted from Jun. 22 to Jun. 24, 2009. No margin of error was provided.
