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Scotland Ponders Change in Status-Quo
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - One-in-four Scottish adults believe Scotland should attain full independence from the United Kingdom, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 25 per cent of respondents agree with this rationale.
In addition, 22 per cent of respondents would like Scotland to have some additional powers, including the introduction of a new Scottish rate of income tax, while 17 per cent would prefer having many additional powers, such as full financial autonomy from the UK. Just over a third of respondents would keep the status-quo: Scotland as part of the UK, with a Scottish Parliament that has the power to pass laws and limited tax-varying capability.
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 Nov. 30, Salmond claimed that the status-quo would no longer be an option, adding, "The debate in Scottish politics is no longer between change or no change—it’s about the kind of change we seek and the right of the people to choose their future in a free and fair referendum."
Polling Data
In its White Paper on Independence, the Scottish Government outlines four different scenarios for Scotland’s future. Which of these scenarios would you prefer?
|
BRI |
SCO |
|
|
The status-quo: Scotland as part of the UK, with a Scottish Parliament that has the power to pass laws and limited tax-varying capability |
44% |
36% |
|
Scotland having some additional powers, including the introduction of a new Scottish rate of income tax |
17% |
22% |
|
Scotland having many additional powers, such as full financial autonomy from the UK |
11% |
17% |
|
Scotland’s full independence from the United Kingdom |
28% |
25% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,004 British adults, conducted from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4, 2009. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
