IndyRef2 polls: Support for Scottish independence at all-time high
More Scots want to break away from UK than ever before, says annual survey
Support for Scottish independence has doubled since 2012 to reach its highest level since records began in 1999, a new poll shows.
That's good news for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who announced this week that she would call for a second independence referendum in an attempt to keep Scotland in the European Union.
According to the annual Scottish Social Attitudes, which asks Scots the same question each year on how their country should be governed, 46 per cent of the country backed independence.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Of the remainder, 42 per cent supported the current policy of devolution and eight per cent would abolish the Scottish Parliament, reports The Scotsman.
When the last independence referendum began to take shape in 2012, support for leaving the UK was at 23 per cent.
However, the annual Scottish Social Attitudes survey, carried out by ScotCen Social Research, also showed a drop in support for the EU, raising questions over how Sturgeon will conduct a campaign to leave the UK.
While the SNP's justification for calling another referendum is largely based on the fact Scotland voted for Remain in last year's EU referendum, the poll suggests the recent surge in support for independence is not a response to the Brexit vote as attitudes towards Brussels have soured.
Euroscepticism in Scotland rose to 67 per cent in 2016, from 40 per cent in 1999.
Consequently, "focusing on EU membership may not be the best way to swing more voters towards independence", the BBC says.
Although in 2014 Scots voted to remain in the UK by 55 per cent to 45 per cent, the referendum created a "legacy of dramatically increased support" for independence, says ScotCen.
Young people appear to have been particularly inspired, with almost three-quarters of those aged between 16 and 24 wanting to leave the UK, compared with 26 per cent of over-65s.
Professor John Curtice, a senior research fellow at ScotCen, said the figures showed the nationalist movement in Scotland "has never been stronger electorally".
However, he added: "There is a risk that linking independence closely to the idea of staying in the EU could alienate some of those who back leaving the UK."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Europe is now beginning to tackle its military to-do list'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published