Proposed second Scottish independence referendum

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The Scottish Government has proposed holding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom (UK). In March 2017, the Scottish Parliament authorised the Scottish Government to request a transfer of powers from the UK Parliament to hold a referendum,[1] but the UK Parliament and Government has not agreed to this request to date. Scotland is one of the four countries of the UK. It has representation in the UK Parliament and the devolved Scottish Parliament has control over some internal matters.

A referendum on Scottish independence was first held in September 2014, when 55% voted against the proposal. One of the reasons cited by those opposed to Scottish independence was that it would endanger Scotland being part of the European Union (EU). Following the Conservative victory in the May 2015 UK general election, a referendum on UK membership of the EU was organised. The Scottish National Party (SNP), which supports Scottish independence, stated in its manifesto for the May 2016 Scottish Parliament election that it would consider holding a second independence referendum if there was a material change of circumstances, such as the UK leaving the EU. The "Leave" side won the June 2016 referendum with 52% of the vote. In Scotland, 62% of votes were to "Remain" in the EU, with a majority of voters in every local authority area.

There has since been debate about whether there should be a second Scottish independence referendum, or if it is possible for Scotland to maintain links with the EU after the UK leaves. On 16 March 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May stated that "now is not the time" to discuss another referendum, because the focus should be on "working together, not pulling apart" for Brexit negotiations.[2] That month, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, announced she would seek Scottish Parliament approval to negotiate with the UK Government for a Section 30 order enabling a second independence referendum, which would take place between late 2018 and early 2019, "when the shape of the UK's Brexit deal will become clear";[3] this approval was obtained on 28 March. At the end of March, The First Minister sent the formal request to the UK Government for a Section 30 order.[4] To date, there has been no formal response from the UK Government.

SNP support for a second referendum was suggested to be a contributory factor to the party losing seats in the 2017 United Kingdom general election. The party won 35 of the 59 Scottish seats, 21 fewer seats than in the 2015 election. On 27 June 2017, Sturgeon declared that her government would "reset" the referendum plan to delay it until after the Brexit process has finished.[5]

History

Scottish independence referendum, 2014

Results by council area of the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.
  Yes
  No

The referendum on Scottish independence held on 18 September 2014 saw Scotland vote to remain part of the United Kingdom (UK), with 55% voting against the proposal for Scotland to become an independent country and 45% voting in favour. Uncertainty over Scotland's European Union (EU) membership was a topic in the run-up to the referendum vote.[6] The British government and some mainstream political parties argued that remaining in the UK was the only way for Scotland to remain part of the EU.[7][8]

Other issues, such as the economy, played a large part in the debate. Financial groups, such as the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, were reported to be considering moving their registered offices to London, as a result of a European law stating that banks should have their head offices in the same member state as its registered office, as well as implying that these offices should be in the location where they conduct most of their activity – which would be the remainder of the United Kingdom in the event of Scottish independence.[9][10]

The Scottish Government's official publication on the independence referendum stated that "It is the view of the current Scottish Government that a referendum is a once-in-a-generation opportunity",[11] a point reiterated by the SNP's then-leader, Alex Salmond, a few days before the vote, noting the eighteen year gap between the devolution referenda held in 1979 and in 1997 as an example of the generational opportunity.[12] Three months later, Salmond reversed the position, highlighting the UK's EU referendum as a factor.[13] The UK government had also portrayed the independence referendum as once-in-a-generation.[14]

Though the proposal for Scotland to become an independent country was voted down in 2014, the referendum did result in more responsibility being passed on to the Scottish Government. The latest move in the devolution process that began in 1999, the UK Government's passage of the Scotland Bill in 2015 increased the devolved powers held by the Scottish Government, especially taxation.[15]

United Kingdom general election, 2015

Results of the 2015 United Kingdom general election

The 2015 UK general election was held on 7 May almost eight months after the independence referendum was held. In their manifesto the SNP said in response to the Conservatives manifesto pledge promising a referendum on EU membership by the end of 2017 if elected.[16]

The European Union is far from perfect, however we believe that it is overwhelmingly in Scotland’s interests for us to remain a member, engaging with the institutions as fully as we can, and to argue for reform from within. We will oppose UK withdrawal from the EU and will propose that, in any future referendum there should be a double majority requirement. Each of the four constituent nations of the UK would have to vote for withdrawal before the UK as a whole could leave the European Union.

The SNP went on to win 56 of the 59 Scottish seats that were contested in an unprecedented landslide winning 50% of the national vote and left just three unionist MPs in Scotland; Labour saw their worst result in Scotland since 1918, the Liberal Democrats fell to their lowest level since 1970 and the Conservatives received their lowest vote share in Scotland since 1865.

Nationally, the Conservatives led by David Cameron won an unexpected overall majority, their first since 1992 and following their victory passed the European Union Referendum Act 2015 which legislated for the holding of a national UK-wide referendum on EU membership which would be held following the conclusion of a renegotiation of the UK’s membership to the EU.

Scottish Parliament election, 2016

Results of the 2016 Scottish Parliament election

The elections to the Scottish Parliament took place on 5 May 2016, seven weeks before the holding of the EU Referendum. In their manifesto for the 2016 Scottish elections, the SNP stipulated conditions under which they would seek a second independence referendum.[17]

We believe that the Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is clear and sustained evidence that independence has become the preferred option of a majority of the Scottish people – or if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.

The SNP was re-elected in the 2016 election, winning 63 seats in the 129-seat chamber, although the result meant that they no longer held an overall majority.[18] The pro-independence Scottish Green Party won 6 seats,[18] meaning that pro-independence MSPs maintained a majority.[19]

The Green manifesto stipulated that a second referendum should be held if there was public demand for one, rather than as a result of "calculations of party political advantage". The party specified that their preferred method of showing support for a referendum was via a public petition, although their manifesto didn't clarify how many signatories there would have to be to receive their support.[20]

Citizens should be able to play a direct role in the legislative process: on presenting a petition signed by an appropriate number of voters, citizens should be able to trigger a vote on important issues of devolved responsibility. As we proposed on the one year anniversary of the Independence Referendum, this is the Scottish Greens’ preferred way of deciding to hold a second referendum on Independence. If a new referendum is to happen, it should come about by the will of the people, and not be driven by calculations of party political advantage. In such a referendum the Scottish Greens will campaign for independence.

United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016

Every council area in Scotland returned majority votes in favour of remaining in the EU, contrasting with other parts of the UK, who ultimately carried the overall UK leave vote.
  Remain

In the EU membership referendum held on 23 June 2016 all thirty two council areas in Scotland voted by a majority for the UK to remain a member of the EU. 62% of Scottish voters voted to remain a member of the EU, with 38% voting to leave. Overall 52% of voters across the whole UK voted to leave the European Union, with 48% voting to remain; majorities in England and Wales were in favour of leaving the EU.[21]

Before the referendum, leading figures with a range of opinions regarding Scottish independence suggested that in the event the UK as a whole voted to leave the EU but Scotland as a whole voted to remain, a second Scottish independence referendum might be precipitated.[22][23] Former Labour Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish asserted that he would support Scottish independence under such circumstances.[24]

In 2013, Scotland exported around three and a half times more to the rest of the UK than to the rest of the EU,[25] while in 2015, that had increased to around four times more to the rest of the UK than to the rest of the EU.[26] The pro-union organisation Scotland in Union has suggested that an independent Scotland within the EU would face trade barriers with a post-Brexit UK and face additional costs for re-entry to the EU.[25]

A report for the European Parliament regarding the impact on the United Kingdom's exit from the EU on devolution suggested that "there now seems to be a consensus that, were Scotland to become independent by legal means, it could join the [European] Union", something which had been questioned prior to the 2014 referendum.[27]

In response to the result, on 24 June 2016, the Scottish Government said officials would begin planning for a second independence referendum.[28][29] Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was "clear that the people of Scotland see their future as part of the European Union" and that Scotland had "spoken decisively" with a "strong, unequivocal" vote to remain in the European Union.[30] Sturgeon said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland could be taken out of the EU "against its will".[28][31] In February 2017, the Scottish Parliament voted 90 to 34 to oppose the UK leaving the EU and to oppose invoking Article 50 in a non-binding vote.[32]

United Kingdom general election, 2017

Results of the 2017 United Kingdom general election in Scotland.

The 2017 UK general election returned a hung parliament resulting in Theresa May's Conservatives returning as a minority government through a pact with the Democratic Unionist Party.

The SNP remained as the third largest party in the UK House of Commons, but its representation was reduced to 35 of the total 59 Scottish MPs, with 21 fewer seats than they won in the 2015 general election and its popular vote in Scotland reduced from 50% in 2015 to 37% in 2017. The Conservatives, who oppose independence, saw their best election in Scotland since 1983, winning 29% of the vote and increasing their seat total to thirteen, compared to one in the previous parliament.

Nicola Sturgeon made the statement "Undoubtedly the issue of an independence referendum was a factor in this election result, but I think there were other factors in this election result as well," in light of the election result.[33] Opposition to a second referendum is one of the issues that former SNP MP Angus Robertson and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson have attributed to a decline in support for the SNP.[34]

The SNP lost seats that voted for independence however. Glasgow North East was gained by Labour despite consisting mostly of the two Scottish Parliamentary constituencies with the largest support for independence within the Glasgow City council area – Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn and Glasgow Provan.[35]

A Survation poll the day prior to the election found that 71% of 2014 independence voters planned to vote for the SNP,[36] significantly lower than the 87% of 'Yes' voters who were planning to vote SNP at a comparable time in 2015.[37] A large amount of support from independence voters had moved to the Labour Party, with the party increasing their vote share among independence supporters from 6% to 21%.[36][37] The Conservatives had a smaller rise among independence supporters, gaining 7% of their votes in 2017, compared to 2% in 2015.[36][37]

A realignment also occurred among those who opposed independence in the 2014 referendum. In 2015, Labour had the highest vote share among unionist voters at 42%.[37] This dropped to 33% in 2017.[36] The Conservatives became the largest anti-independence party increasing their votes from 27% to 46% of unionist voters.[36][37] Elsewhere, 11% backed the SNP and the Liberal Democrats in 2017, compared to 15% and 10% respectively in 2015.[36][37]

Procedure

Scottish Independence Referendum Bill

On 16 October 2016, the Scottish Government published a draft bill that would enable a second Scottish independence referendum to occur, after receiving legislative consent. The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill draft is largely similar to its sister act of 2013, and has been put out for consultation by the government to allow members of the public to convey their views on the wording and procedures of the bill.[38] The bill will require the consent of the UK government for the referendum result to be made legally binding.[39]

Details

Following the EU referendum, Nicola Sturgeon stated that the Scottish Government, the devolved executive of Scotland, had agreed to draft legislation to allow a second independence referendum to take place.[40]

As the constitution is a 'reserved' matter under the Scotland Act 1998, for a future referendum on Scottish independence to be binding under UK law, it would need to receive the consent of the British Parliament to take place.[41] A referendum would not be legally binding under UK law if the consent of the UK Parliament is not given.[42][43] Under the Sewell Convention of the 1998 act however, the Scottish Parliament could approve a "consultative referendum" on the subject of independence, which would enable the referendum taking place without the approval of the British Parliament.[44] Under this convention, the Scottish Government is authorized to issue a "legislative consent memorandum," which would signal to the United Kingdom Parliament that Scottish Government has deemed it necessary to alter a law enacted by the UK Government or to change the scope of the devolved government's powers in some manner.[45]

Timeline

2016

Scottish Secretary David Mundell stated, on 26 June 2016, that "if the people of Scotland ultimately determine that they want to have another [independence] referendum there will be one", and added "Could there be another referendum? The answer to that question is yes. Should there be another referendum? I believe the answer to that question is no."[46]

On 13 October 2016, Nicola Sturgeon announced that an Independence Referendum Bill will be published for consultation the following week.[47]

2017

On 13 March 2017, Sturgeon announced she would seek Scottish Parliament approval to negotiate with the UK Government for a Section 30 order enabling a second independence referendum.[3]

On 16 March 2017, ahead of the scheduled debate, Theresa May responded by broadcasting a message where she said that "now is not the time" for a second referendum on Scottish independence, as it would be unclear what the people of Scotland would be voting for.[2] Ruth Davidson later appeared at a press conference in Edinburgh and stated her position that "we will maintain that it should not take place when there is no clear public and political consent for it to happen".[2]

The debate began on 22 March 2017, but following that day's Westminster terrorist attack, it was suspended before a vote could take place. The vote was subsequently rescheduled for 28 March, a day before Theresa May was scheduled to trigger Article 50.[48]

On 28 March 2017, the Scottish Parliament voted 69–59 on Motion S5M-04710, in favour of holding a second referendum on Scottish independence.[49][50] Prior to the passage of the motion, a Green Party amendment was passed, by the same margin, that seeks to enable 16 and 17 year-olds and EU citizens the opportunity to vote in a referendum.[51]

The full motion, with the Green Party amendment in italics:

That the Parliament acknowledges the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of government best suited to their needs and therefore mandates the Scottish Government to take forward discussions with the UK Government on the details of an order under section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 to ensure that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for a referendum to be held that will give the people of Scotland a choice over the future direction and governance of their country at a time, and with a question and franchise, determined by the Scottish Parliament, which would most appropriately be between the autumn of 2018, when there is clarity over the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, and around the point at which the UK leaves the EU in spring 2019; believes that this gives people in Scotland a choice at a time when there is both the most information and most opportunity to act; further believes that 16 and 17-year-olds and EU citizens, who were excluded from the EU referendum, should be entitled to vote, and considers that this referendum is necessary given the Prime Minister’s decision to negotiate a hard exit from the EU, including leaving the single market, which conflicts with assurances given by the UK Government and prominent Leave campaigners, and which takes no account of the overwhelming Remain vote in Scotland.

Following the 2017 UK general election, Nicola Sturgeon announced that the Scottish Government would postpone legislation pertaining to the proposed second referendum on Scottish independence until at least autumn 2018, when it is believed that the outcome of Brexit negotiations should become clearer.[5]

2018

On 25 May 2018, the Scottish National Party published a "Growth Commission" report, which detailed how an independent Scotland could look economically. The report noted that it would take £450 million to set up an independent state, with an initial budget deficit of around 6% of GDP. The report, additionally, suggested that an independent Scotland would obtain its share of the UK national debt, while continuing to use the Pound Sterling as currency for at least a decade. Scotland would only consider an independent currency, once certain economic goals had been met. Despite not having a separate currency on independence, the report suggested that Scotland would set up a central bank to act as a lender of last resort. According to the Growth Commission, Scotland would seek an open migration policy to allow for its population to grow.[52]

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson responded to the report by saying: "For me the most important issue is making sure our children get a good education. The first minister used to claim that that was her priority too - how times have changed. It's hard to see how dragging Scotland back down the rabbit hole of a debate on independence is going to improve our schools.", while Richard Leonard, Scottish Labour's leader, stated that the report "will exasperate millions of people around the country who just want the first minister focused on public services".[53]

Issues

Scotland's future relations with the EU and EEA

The results of the European Union membership referendum by voting areas. Scotland, Northern Ireland, London, and Gibraltar voted in majority to remain in the European Union, contrasting with other parts of the UK, who ultimately carried the result of leaving.
  Leave
  Remain

Following the EU referendum result, Sturgeon said she would communicate to all EU member states that Scotland had voted to stay in the EU.[54] An emergency Scottish cabinet meeting on 25 June 2016 agreed that the Scottish Government would seek to enter negotiations with the EU and its member states, to explore "options to protect Scotland's place in the EU".[55][56] On 28 June 2016, Sturgeon said that "independence [...] is not my starting point in these discussions. My starting point is to protect our relationship with the EU."[57]

After a summit of EU leaders on 29 June 2016, Sturgeon held meetings with some EU officials.[58] She raised the possibility of parts of the UK remaining within the EU, or for these areas to have special arrangements with the EU, after the UK leaves.[58] David Edward, a former justice of the European Court of Justice, suggested that these arrangements would relate to policy areas that have been devolved to Scotland.[58]

Sturgeon also met with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who commented that "I will listen carefully to what the first minister will tell me... but we don't have the intention, neither Donald Tusk nor myself, to interfere in an inner British process that is not our duty and this is not our job."[59] Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party Group, and Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, indicated that they were supportive of Scotland remaining an EU member.[60][61][62] Gunther Krichbaum, head of the Bundestag's Committee for EU Affairs, made supportive comments about Scotland becoming a member state of the EU.[63]

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said: "[be] very clear Scotland does not have the competence to negotiate with the European Union".[59] He also stated his opposition to the EU negotiating with "anyone other than the government of United Kingdom" and that "if the United Kingdom leaves... Scotland leaves".[59] Similarly, the French President, François Hollande, stated: "The negotiations will be conducted with the United Kingdom, not with a part of the United Kingdom".[59]

The Scottish European and External Affairs Committee held an evidence session on 30 June 2016, asking a panel of four experts (Dr Kirsty Hughes of Friends of Europe, Prof Sionaidh Douglas-Scott of the Queen Mary School of Law at the University of London, Sir David Edward and Prof Drew Scott of the University of Edinburgh) what they felt was the best way to secure the Scottish-EU relationship.[64] Hughes stated that "the simplest and most obvious way would be to be an independent state and transition in and stay in the EU", Douglas-Scott said that "Legally there are precedents. [...] But there were also political difficulties", referring to Catalonia in Spain. Edward believed "Scotland makes quite a good fit with Iceland and Norway", referring to the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association, while Scott hinted that Scotland could be a successor state, meaning the rest of the UK would leave but Scotland would retain its seat.[64]

The new UK Prime Minister Theresa May met with Sturgeon on 15 July 2016 in Edinburgh, when May stated that she was "willing to listen to options" for Scotland,[65] although she later stated that some options were "impracticable".[66] Sturgeon then publicly stated that she had five tests for any future arrangements.[67] The IPPR thinktank stated that Scottish unionists needed to provide options for Scotland, if they wished to retain the British union.[66] The Scottish Labour Party published an 'Action Plan' in July 2016, focusing on the economy.[68]

In November 2016, Sturgeon confirmed to members of the Scottish Parliament that the Scottish Government was considering European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA) models in order to "protect [Scotland's] place in the single market" of Europe even if the United Kingdom as a whole does leave in a "hard Brexit".[69] The SNP's 2017 General Election manifesto stated that "the Scottish Government [led by the SNP, had] published proposals that would keep Scotland in the Single Market, even as we left the EU."[70]

In their manifestos for the German federal election, 2017, the Free Democrats and the Greens stated that EU membership would remain an option for Scotland and Northern Ireland (as well as for the rest of the UK), if they left the UK.[71]

The Scotland Act 1998 empowers the Scottish Parliament to legislate in policy areas devolved to Scotland, but one of its clauses obliges the Scottish Parliament to ensure its legislation is compatible with European law.[72][73] For the UK to completely leave the EU, it would need to remove that obligation.[73] If the UK Parliament wishes to legislate on policy areas devolved to Scotland, or if it wishes to amend the powers devolved to Scotland, by convention it needs the Scottish Parliament to pass a "legislative consent motion".[72][73] On 26 June 2016, Sturgeon said she would ask the Scottish Parliament to withhold consent if she thought it was not in Scotland's interests.[74] Giving evidence to a House of Lords committee before the EU referendum, David Edward suggested the consent of the Scottish Parliament would be needed for this legislation.[72]

Media reports suggested this might give the Scottish Parliament a veto over UK withdrawal from the EU,[72][75][76] but under the Scotland Act 1998 the UK Parliament could ultimately override the "veto" as it is based only on parliamentary convention.[72][73] Alternatively, the UK Parliament could choose to disregard the obligation for the Scottish Parliament to observe EU law.[73] The then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, said that the UK Government would consult with the devolved governments and noted that it was for the UK Parliament to decide whether to leave the EU by repealing the European Communities Act 1972.[77] In its ruling in the case brought by Gina Miller regarding the UK Government's authority to invoke Article 50, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the devolved governments did not have a veto as the convention was unenforceable in law.[78] Speaking later that week the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said that the bill needed to invoke Article 50 would not require consent, but also said he was working under the assumption that the "Great Repeal Bill" needed to remove European legislation from UK statutes would require co-operation from the devolved bodies.[79]

Responses to the prospect of a referendum

See also, for comparison Scottish independence referendum, 2014#Responses

Responses by politicians to the possibility of a second referendum have been pro-independence (and pro-referendum), pro-union, or pro-federalism.

In support of a referendum

Former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond in June 2016 said the Brexit vote was a "significant and material change" in Scotland's position within the United Kingdom, and that he was certain the Scottish National Party would implement its manifesto on holding a second referendum.[80][81]

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie, on 13 March 2017 welcomed the confirmation from the First Minister that she is seeking a Section 30 Order from the UK Government to give the Scottish Parliament temporary power to call a referendum on independence.[82]

Scottish Socialist Party spokesman Colin Fox said the SSP would "work as hard as anyone to deliver a Yes vote for independence", but warned that making Scotland’s EU membership a central and “overarching” issue of the debate would be “a risky strategy” and said it ran the risk of side-lining economic and social challenges facing Scots.[83][84]

A few days before the 2017 General Election, Sturgeon was asked about the prospect of a third referendum if the proposed second one did not result in a vote in favour of independence.[85] She refused to rule out a third referendum within a few years, saying that, "I don't think it's right for any politician to dictate to a country what its future should be. I think that should be a choice for the people of Scotland."[85]

In late 2018, the Scottish Independence Convention set out plans to create a cross-party, non-partisan campaign for independence. This campaign will focus on why independence is required for Scotland and will entail a fact checker and a rebuttal service. This is due to launch on St. Andrew's Day, 2018.[86][87]

Opposed to a referendum

British party leaders

Then Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron stated in June 2016 that "There was a legal, fair and decisive referendum two years ago [...] the last thing Scotland needs now is another divisive referendum" and that the "best possible deal for the United Kingdom will also be the best possible deal for Scotland".[88][89][90]

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of Cameron's successor as Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister, Theresa May, said in October 2016 "The prime minister and the government does not believe that there is a mandate for [a second referendum]. There was one only two years ago. There was an extremely high turnout and there was a resounding result in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK."[91]

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said in March 2017 that a referendum would be "absolutely fine" and that "I don't think it's the job of Westminster or the Labour Party to prevent people holding referenda." However, a spokesman for Corbyn later said "Labour continues to oppose a further referendum in the Scottish Parliament and would campaign against independence if one were held."[92]

Then Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron in March 2017, said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats stood for election last year on a platform to oppose a new independence referendum. That is what we will do."[93]

Scottish party leaders

Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson, in June 2016 expressed her opposition to a second Scottish referendum, saying that the country needed stability.[56][94] She then said in March 2017 that "The SNP is ... acting against the majority wishes of the people of Scotland" by proposing a second referendum.[95]

Then Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said in July 2016 that it would be "categorically wrong" for the UK Government to block a second independence referendum if the people want it.[96] In February 2017, she said that "Our country still bears the scars of the last one [referendum], and no one wants to go through that again any time soon ... That's why Labour will never support one [a second referendum] in the Scottish Parliament". She also supports a federal Britain.[97][98] After the SNP lost 21 seats in the 2017 general election Kezia Dugdale stated that this was the "final nail in the coffin" for a proposed second referendum.

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said in March 2017, "We stood on a platform last May where we said we were against independence and against another independence referendum",[99] he also said, "No independence referendum, either at Westminster or in the Scottish Parliament – that's the view of the Liberal Democrats."[100]

Opinion polling

Results of polls to 29 August 2018

In nearly every opinion poll following the EU membership referendum, participants are asked to respond to the question or subtle variation of:

If the referendum was held again tomorrow, how would you vote in response to the question: Should Scotland be an independent country?

utilising the final six words (in italics) as in the 2014 referendum question. A response of "Yes" therefore is for Scottish independence and a response of "No" for remaining in the United Kingdom.

Polls vary in how weightings are applied (methods of which are not described by the polling organisations) and in which participants are excluded from the final data (based on how likely they are to vote). There is an inherent ± 3% margin of error based on a sample size of ~1,000.

Following EU membership referendum

Only polls from companies that are members of the British Polling Council, and therefore fully disclose their findings and methodology, are shown in this section.

Date(s)
conducted		 Polling

Method

 Includes 16 and 17 year-olds? Polling organisation/client Sample size Yes No Undecided Lead Notes
3 - 5 Oct 2018 Telephone Yes Survation/Scottish National Party 1,01341%49%8%8%
28 Sep - 4 Oct 2018 Online Yes Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,02441%52%7%11%
28 Sep - 2 Oct 2018 Online Yes Survation/Sunday Post 1,03643%49%6%6%
24–29 Aug 2018 Online Yes Deltapoll/OFOC & Best for Britain 1,02245%47%8%2%Non-standard question[notes 1]
5–10 Jul 2018 Online No Survation/Daily Record 1,00241%47%12%6%
8–13 Jun 2018 Online Yes Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,02141%53%6%12%
1–5 Jun 2018 Online Yes YouGov/The Times 1,07541%50%6%9%
23–28 March 2018 Online Yes Panelbase/Sunday Times1,03741%53%6%12%
5–11 Mar 2018 Telephone Yes Ipsos Mori/STV1,05046%50%4%4%
24–28 Jan 2018 Online Yes Survation/Daily Record1,02942%50%8%8%
12–16 Jan 2018 Online No YouGov/The Times1,00237%50%10%13%
1–5 Dec 2017 Online YesSurvation/The Sunday Post1,00642%49%8%7%
27–30 Nov 2017 Online YesSurvation/Daily Record1,01742%48%10%6%
2–5 Oct 2017 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,13539%50%8%11%
8–12 Sep 2017 Online Yes Survation/Scottish Daily Mail1,01642%49%9%7%
31 Aug–7 Sep 2017 Online YesPanelbase/Sunday Times1,02140%53%6%13%
9–13 Jun 2017 Online YesSurvation/Daily Record1,03739%53%7%14%
8 Jun 2017 United Kingdom general election, 2017
6–7 Jun 2017 Telephone YesSurvation/Daily Record1,00136%56%7%20%
2–7 Jun 2017 Online YesPanelbase1,10641%53%6%12%
1–5 Jun 2017 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,09338%50%8%12%
31 May–2 Jun 2017 Online YesSurvation/The Sunday Post1,02442%50%8%8%
22–27 May 2017 Telephone NoIpsos Mori/STV1,01645%51%3%6%
15–18 May 2017 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,03239%49%8%10%
4 May 2017 Scottish local elections, 2017
24–27 Apr 2017 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,01740%49%8%9%
18–21 Apr 2017 Online Yes Panelbase/Sunday Times1,02943%52%5%9%
18–21 Apr 2017 Online NoSurvation/Sunday Post1,01843%48%9%5%
7–11 Apr 2017 Online YesBMG/Herald1,04143%45%11%2%
29 Mar–11 Apr 2017 Interview YesTNS1,06034%53%13%19%
13–17 Mar 2017 Online YesPanelbase/Sunday Times1,00842%53%5%11%
9–14 Mar 2017 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,02837%48%11%11%
8–13 Mar 2017 Online YesSurvation/Scottish Daily Mail1,01943%48%9%5%
13 Mar 2017 Nicola Sturgeon announces the intention to seek approval for a Section 30 order enabling an independence referendum
24 Feb–6 Mar 2017 Telephone YesIpsos Mori/STV1,02947%46%6%1%
23–27 Feb 2017 Online YesBMG/Herald1,00941%44%15%3%
8–13 Feb 2017 Online YesPanelbase/Wings Over Scotland1,02844%51%6%7%
26–31 Jan 2017 Online YesBMG/Herald1,06743%45%10%2%
20–26 Jan 2017 Online YesPanelbase/Sunday Times1,02043%51%7%8%
9–16 Dec 2016 Online YesBMG/Herald1,00240%47%13%7%
29 Aug–16 Dec 2016 Online NoYouGov3,16639%47%11%8%
24th–29th Nov 2016 Online YesYouGov/The Times1,13438%49%13%11%
28 Sep–4 Oct 2016 Online YesBMG/Herald1,01039%47%15%8%Non-standard question[notes 2]
9–15 Sep 2016 Online YesPanelbase/Sunday Times1,02444%50%7%6%
5–11 Sep 2016 Telephone YesIpsos Mori/STV1,00045%50%5%5%
5–10 Sep 2016 Online YesSurvation1,07342%48%10%6%
10 Aug–4 Sep 2016 Interview YesTNS1,04741%47%12%6%
29–31 Aug 2016 Online NoYouGov/The Times1,03940%46%13%6%
20–25 Jul 2016 Online NoYouGov1,00540%45%14%5%
13 Jul 2016 Theresa May becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
24–28 Jun 2016 Online YesSurvation/Scottish Daily Mail1,05547%41%12%6%
25–26 Jun 2016 Online YesPanelbase/Sunday Times62647%44%8%3%
25 Jun 2016 Online YesSurvation/Daily Record1,00248%41%9%7%
24 Jun 2016 David Cameron resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Nicola Sturgeon announces her government would draft legislation for a second independence vote
23 Jun 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
18 Sep 2014 Scottish independence referendum, 2014 results3,623,34444.7%55.3%10.6%

Three-option polling

Prior to the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, some three option opinion polls were conducted, giving respondents the option of full independence, some (undefined) form of increased devolution and the status quo. One poll of this type has been conducted since the EU membership referendum.

Date(s)
conducted		 Polling organisation/client Independence Devo Max Status Quo Undecided
24–28 Jan 2018Survation/Scottish Independence Referendum Party32%15%36%17%

Independence & EU polling

Since 2014, Scotland has voted both to remain within the United Kingdom and the European Union. Since the UK's vote to leave the EU, opinion polls have been conducted that ask whether voters would prefer for Scotland to become independent to remain in the EU or for Scotland to remain in the UK and leave the EU.

Date(s)
conducted		 Polling organisation/client Independence within the EU Remain in the UK and leave the EU Undecided
21–27 Jun 2018Panelbase/Wings Over Scotland42%44%14%
15–20 Dec 2017Panelbase/Wings Over Scotland39%40%21%[lower-alpha 1]
Notes
  1. ↑ Includes voters who would not vote – 10% were undecided; 11% would not vote.

Regional opinion polling

Edinburgh South

Edinburgh South had the highest proportion of Remain votes of any parliamentary constituency in Scotland outside of Glasgow North and Edinburgh North and Leith at the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum at 77.8% Remain 22.2% Leave.

Date(s)
conducted		 Polling organisation/client Sample size Yes No Undecided Lead Notes
8 Jun 2017United Kingdom general election, 2017
3–4 April 2017Survation/Stop Brexit Alliance53034%55%10%21%Excludes 16 and 17 year-olds
18 Sep 2014Scottish independence referendum, 2014 results58,73834.7%65.3%30.6%

Polls conducted before the EU referendum

Before the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016, there were some opinion polls conducted which asked people if they would vote for Scottish independence in the (then hypothetical) event of a "leave" vote in that referendum.

Date(s)
conducted		 Polling organisation/client Sample size Yes No Undecided Lead
23 Jun 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
6–16 Jun 2016[http://storage.pardot.com/36112/187064/TNS___EU_Referendum_Poll__Scotland____2_June_2016.pdf TNS]1,00843%46%9%3%
6–10 May 2016ICM/The Scotsman1,00044%47%9%3%
23–28 Apr 2016Panelbase/Sunday Times1,07447%44%9%3%
6–15 Apr 2016Panelbase/Sunday Times1,02146%45%9%1%
1–7 Feb 2016Ipsos Mori/STV1,00054%39%7%15%

On the prospect of a second referendum

2017

Analysis of opinion polling from early 2017 by Professor John Curtice found that around 50% of Scottish voters were opposed to the holding of a second referendum on Scottish independence, with just over a third in support of holding another referendum.[101]

A September 2017 poll by Survation gave respondents an option of when they thought a second referendum should be held. 22% said that they'd support holding a referendum before Britain leaves the European Union, 13% said around the time Britain leaves the EU, a further 13% said that a referendum should be held a few years following the UK's exit and 8% said a referendum should come after the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections. 37% said that a referendum should never be held on Scottish independence again, with 8% undecided.[102]

A Panelbase poll from the same month found that 17% of people thought that a referendum should be held while the UK is negotiating its exit from the European Union, 26% said that a referendum should come once the negotiations had finished, while 58% said that a referendum shouldn't be held prior to the United Kingdom's exit from the EU.[103]

2018

In January 2018, YouGov found that 54% of people opposed holding a referendum in principle, compared to 36% who supported holding one. These numbers fell when asked whether a referendum should be held following Brexit negotiations, but before the UK actually leaves the EU, to 51% and 35% respectively. The same poll found that 36% supported holding a referendum once Britain has left the EU, compared to 47% opposed.[104]

A March 2018 poll by Ipsos Mori found that 42% of Scots supported holding a second referendum within the next three years, compared to 47% who opposed one; 8% said that they neither supported or opposed a referendum being held within this timescale. Support for a referendum was highest among sixteen to thirty-four year-olds, the unemployed, charity workers, council house dwellers and people living in the 20% of most deprived areas in Scotland. Opposition was greatest from people aged over fifty-five, retirees, homeowners and people with no formal qualifications.[105]

Opinion polling in the rest of the United Kingdom

In 2014 a plurality (41%) of people polled in England and Wales thought that Scotland would vote to remain in the United Kingdom.[106] However, an Opinium poll carried out 28–30 June 2016 showed a marked change, with 69% believing that Scotland would vote for independence in a second referendum, with 16% believing it would vote against independence.[107]

A May 2018 poll, conducted by Panelbase, suggested that 52% of English-born English-based voters would vote to enter into a political union with Scotland if the countries were independent of each other, compared to 58% supporting a union with Wales and 43% with Northern Ireland.[108] The poll additionally found that 43% of English voters would accept for Scotland to leave the United Kingdom as a result of the exit from the European Union, compared to 35% who would oppose this.[109]

Opinion polling in the European Union

Polls conducted by YouGov in July 2016 found majority support in Germany (71%), Denmark (67%), Finland (66%), Sweden (64%) and France (61%) for Scotland becoming an EU member should it become an independent state, with plurality support in Norway (46%) and the United Kingdom as a whole (41%).[110]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Instead of the 2014 referendum question, respondents were asked "In a referendum on independence for Scotland held tomorrow, how would you vote?" and given the options of "For Scotland to become an independent country" and "For Scotland to remain as part of the United Kingdom", which have been mapped to Yes and No here respectively.
  2. ↑ Instead of the 2014 referendum question, respondents were asked "If a referendum were held tomorrow, on whether Scotland should leave or remain part of the United Kingdom, how would you vote?" and given the options of "To Leave the United Kingdom" and "To Remain in the United Kingdom", which have been mapped to Yes and No here respectively.

References

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