Thursday, 16 March 2017

Latest survey reveals that anit-EU sentiment among Scots may hamper Nicola Sturgeon's clamour for another indyref

Sturgeon suffers set back

It appears the Scottish First Minister may get her drive for another Scottish indyref through if she insists on taking Scotland bank to the EU. This is because she is gradually losing public support in that regard, as most Scots are not wanting to be put under Brussels rule anymore.

According to a recent analysis, there is a rise of anti-EU feeling in the Scotland, as result, her plans to leave the rest of the UK and rejoin the European Union is not being welcomed by of the Scottish people.

The ScotCen annual Scottish social attitudes survey found that two in three Scots (67 per cent) either want Britain to leave the EU (25 per cent) or for the EU’s powers to be reduced (42 per cent).

This was a 14 point rise in Euroscepticism in Scotland from 2014 and 27 per cent increase based on opinions in 1999 when the Scottish Parliament was opened.

In the meantime, Spanish Foreign minister Alfonso Dastis has again confirmed that his country would reject any effort to keep Scotland in the EU and instead a newly independent country would have to “go to the back of the queue” to join the bloc.

His confirmation comes after it was alleged that British Prime Minister will reject all efforts made by Ms Sturgeon to sink Brexit deal by pushing for a second Scottish indyref which is suggested to take place between Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019 before a deal with the EU is concluded.

Report has it that members Mrs May’s party have also clearly told the PM to allow the Scottish people to hold the referendum, but only if it would be done after the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

Yorkshire Tory MP Rishi Sunak said: “It seems hard to block a referendum but we should push the timing until after Brexit so the choice is clearer for people. A good deal will strengthen the case for the Union.”

In parliament an imperious Mrs May dismissed the SNP demands mocking former First Minister Alex Salmond, who is now the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman in Westminster.

"Those in Scotland who talk about having a second independence referendum should remember what (Mr Salmond) said," said Mrs May.

"It was a once-in-a-generation vote that took place in September 2014.

"It seems a generation now is less than three years."

The disposition in parliament was summed up by Tory MP Richard Drax when he described Ms Sturgeon’s actions as “totally irresponsible”. Saying the First Minister move for another referendum was taking Scottish people "over a cliff like lemmings to economic ruin."

Reacting swiftly, the First Minister attempted to prove to that her mandate as a First Minister is greater than that of Theresa May to call for a Scottish referendum. Saying: “I was elected as FM on a clear manifesto commitment. The PM is not yet elected by anyone.”

The author of the ScotCen report, Professor John Curtice said: “The commitment to the EU of many of those who voted to Remain does not appear to be strong enough that they are likely to be persuaded by the outcome of the EU referendum to change their preference for staying in the UK.

“Meanwhile, there is a risk that linking independence closely to the idea of staying in the EU could alienate some of those who currently back leaving the UK.


“Nicola Sturgeon might have been wiser to have stayed her hand, for on current trends there is a real possibility that demographic change will help produce a majority for independence in the not too distant future anyway.”

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