Summary: Nationalists, who wish for Scotland to break away from the United Kingdom, have gained increasing support over the past few weeks. The vote on independence, set for September 18, will be the first step in recognizing Scotland as an independent country.
A YouGov survey for London’s Sunday Times newspaper showed that supporters of Scottish independence have taken the lead for the first time, the Huffington Post reports. The vote is scheduled for September 18, and supporters of Scottish independence led the poll at 51 percent. Unionists held 49 percent of the vote. A 22-point lead was overturned in roughly a month.
The Sunday Times noted that the survey “shows the nationalists have taken a two-point lead and are poised to triumph in the referendum.”
Scotland’s 307-year union with England may very well end with the referendum. Recently, polls have demonstrated that Alex Salmond’s Scottish National Party, which advocates the secession, has been gaining significant support from the Scots.
Should the vote to break away from England be successful, the countries would have to negotiate what to do about currency, North Sea oil, national debt, and the future of Britain’s nuclear submarine base that is located in Scotland. Further, Prime Minister David Cameron would be encouraged to resign ahead of the national election in May 2015. The opposing Labor party may lose the ability to gain the majority if the Scottish lawmakers are no longer present.
Cameron has stated he will not resign. He is scheduled to visit Queen Elizabeth in Scotland this Sunday.
The Nationalists, who want Scotland to obtain independence from England, have accused London of wasting Scotland’s wealth. Their position is that Scotland would be one of the world’s richest nations if it controlled its own future without the influence of London.
Unionists, who do not wish for a secession to occur, argue that the United Kingdom is more stable if it stays as is, and that Scotland’s breaking away would bring financial, economic, and political consequences. They are concerned that a split will lead to instability for the countries. They have tried to tempt Scottish citizens with proposals of greater devolution.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a Scotsman, promised Edinburgh more powers over its tax, social and economic decisions if Scots voted to remain in the United Kingdom. Other British ministers plan to make serious offers to give the Scots more power over their future.
Should the division occur, the date of Scotland’s independence is set for March 24, 2016.
Photo credit: Theguardian.com