In a first referendum on independence in 2014, the result was negative; 44.7% voted for independence and 55.3% against it in a turnout of 85%. But public opinion polls and voting in elections now show the opposite result, roughly 54% to 45%.
The Scottish National Party, the SNP, the supporter of independence within the E.U., has been increasing in popularity. In 2011, it won power in Holyrood as the majority party. In 2015, SNP won 56 of the 59 Scottish seats up for election. In 2016, SNP again became the largest single party, but with a few short of a majority, in Holyrood, winning 59 of the 73 constituencies up for election, resulting in SNP having 63 of the 129 seats, while the Conservatives declined to 31 and Labor to 24. The SNP is favored to win a majority in the devolved parliament at Holyrood in May 2021.
Scotland has 59 seats in Westminster. The SNP become the third largest party in Westminster in 2019, winning 48 seats, and was second in 11 others. In the referendum on Brexit on June 23, 2016, Scotland, contrary to the U.K. as a whole, voted 62% to remain and 38% to leave the E.U. All of the 32 council areas in the country voted to remain. The argument is that the people of Scotland do not want to turn their back on Europe, but rather want to play a larger role in the E.U.
Indications in recent public opinion polls show that support for independence is increasing. Most show that between 50 and 55% favor leaving the U.K., and about 45% prefer to remain. There is no one overriding factor, but various issues are mentioned.
Why in the world would Scotland declare independence from Britain and then turn around and hitch its wagon to the EU. Scottish citizens are being lured to their destruction.
No.
Something very uncharacteristic of Scots people has occurred in today’s Scotland with the large number of folks on the dole. Traditionally, Scots have had a good solid work ethic. So long as So much of Scotland wants to remain on welfare, independence would not work out very well.
If Scotland gets independence it will be the EU’s next welfare state! It will manage itself like Venezuela which mean it will very quickly mortgage what it has of the North Sea oil to German bankers. It will be the EUs newest member of the PIIGS club adding another “S” to the acronym - PIIGSS !
Scotland would go to the EU with both hands out
Scotland has 5 million people, it has industry and services. Norway and Denmark have five million people as we6, and thrive. Estonia has 1 million and thrives.
Scotland too can thrive outside the British union
Scotland is a poor part of the UK and costs more in welfare than they contribute. To be honest the UK would be better off without them, let them go and pay their own way for a change.
Thinking itself safe from invaders, Scotland thinks independence would mean it could save money on defense. Sort of like Canada or Germany. Canada spends 1.3 percent of GDP instead of 2 percent. Germany 1.4 percent. However, Scotland received more in welfare from England than it would save in defense. So, at some point, reality should set it.
Last time Scotland voted on leaving the U.K., it thought it would fetch a lot of money from North Sea oil. Then, they realized Scotland’s part of North Sea oil was nearly depleted. At current prices, British north sea oil isn’t profitable to extract.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_Scotland%27s_oil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea_oil
Scotland did get back that ‘Stone of Destiny’, time will tell if they fully realize what was returned to them.
The UK would suddenly become a much more conservative place without Scotland.
Been there, done that
Outlander on Netflix tells the tale