Scotland debate gets interesting

A new survey says a record number of people in Scotland want their independence from the United Kingdom. An Ipsos Mori poll says 58% of Scots want independence, well up from the just 45% who voted in a referendum in 2014, to leave the union.

Scottish nationalism has always been a feature of its politics, although it has remained muted for a long time. The Brexit referendum saw voters in every single Scottish council vote in favour of remaining in the European Union – a contrast to most in England and Wales who voted to leave.

The Scots’ feelings also echo a growing nationalism through Europe – a backlash against what many considered artificial, enforced borders and absorption. The Brexit opinion showed many Scots believe they are more European than British … but whether the small country can survive without its powerful neighbour is open to debate.

While Scotland’s North Sea oil is a valuable resource, it has little else in the way of revenues and might struggle to remain viable without the current financial support of Westminster. But, like the Scots themselves, the ongoing debate won’t be boring.

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