Poll Shows Scotland Independence a Possibility

A September 5 YouGov poll indicates that Scotland’s independence campaign is in the lead. The poll was commissioned by The Sunday Times.

Scotland will vote on September 18 to decide if it will remain in the United Kingdom. The survey showed the nationalist “Yes” campaign led with 51 percent, while the “No” campaign followed closely with 49 percent.

Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Sky News that the poll was, as she said, “encouraging.”

“But what I think the poll does show is that increasing numbers of people across Scotland are coming to the conclusion that independence is the best way to protect our NHS, the best way to grow our economy, to create jobs, and to make sure that we never again get Tory governments that we don’t vote for, that we always get the governments in Scotland that we do vote for.”

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown made another appeal for people in Scotland to vote “No.”

“I think it is about two visions of Scotland’s future, different from the future that might have been predicted a few years ago. The first is obviously the nationalists, who want to break entirely with the United Kingdom and break all connections, and then the second is what I would call the patriotic vision of Scotland’s future, my vision. I want a Scottish parliament, I want stronger powers, and therefore I want change to make it stronger. But I also want to share our resources with the rest of the United Kingdom.”

The findings for the YouGov poll prompted the British government to promise new powers for Scotland. Those powers included taxation, welfare and spending. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond dismissed the government’s offer, calling it a sign of panic.

A second poll from Panelbase published over the weekend showed the “No” vote ahead 52 percent to 48 percent. The polls results are too close to accurately predict the vote.

Scottish independence would strike at the prestige and power of Britain and its monarchy. Even if the “No” vote wins, the issue reveals a weakened United Kingdom that can barely keep its nation together.