Majority in Scotland wish to remain in the EU reveals poll

A poll conducted by Yougov has found an overwhelming majority of Scotland’s population wishes to remain in the European Union (EU).

The Yougov EUref poll, published earlier this week, showed that 55% of Scots would vote to remain, while 30% to leave.  In Wales the poll found that 42% would vote to remain versus 38% to leave, out of a sample 5465 UK wide voters.

However, there was a 43% majority votes to leave the EU in England versus 40% to stay.

Discounting the “don’t know votes”, the result would be:

• England: Remain 48%, Leave 52%
• Scotland: Remain 65%, Leave 35%
• Wales: Remain 53%, Leave 47

If this was a result of a referendum across the UK there would be a slight majority of voters to leave the EU.

The poll also asked: “Is the EU a Good or Bad thing?”, with the follow results:

• In Scotland: Good 50% vs. Bad 25%
• In Wales: Good 39% vs. Bad 31%
• In England: Good 35% vs. Bad 39%

Various polls seem to fluctuated recently, some commentators suggesting this is partly a reaction to the media coverage of the refugee crisis. Previous polls by YouGov have indicated a slim majority UK wide for staying within the EU.

Speaking with KaleidoScot, Alyn Smith MEP for the SNP, and member of the EU intergroup on LGBTI rights said: “This is another example of how the UK’s Euro-hostile stance does not speak for Scotland.

“We’ve seen plenty of equality allies in the EU, from the Commission’s Frans Timmermans saying marriage equality should be legal in all Member States, to Parliament voting to enshrine LGBTI rights in the European Neighbourhood Policy.

“Misogyny, homophobia and transphobia are all very real, and I’m truly proud of the way the EU is working to combat repugnant, outdated attitudes that are too-often state-sanctioned. Most recently, Parliament included LGBTI rights in their Gender Equality strategy, via an inclusive definition of family, and a commitment to safeguarding transgender rights.”

Maggie Chapman, co-convener of the Scottish Green Party, also expressed her support for staying within the EU, she told KaleidoScot: “The EU is not perfect. But it has been instrumental in securing important rights for workers, women, LGBTQI people, and others. Human rights should not depend on national boundaries. We must democratise the EU so we can deliver the international policies and transformations required if we are to achieve social, economic and environmental justice for all, not just the few.”

In June, Nicola Sturgeon said that continued European Union membership is vital to Scotland and any attempt to exit could result in a backlash and a possible second independence referendum.

Sturgeon reiterated her support of continued EU membership: “We like working with our friends and neighbours from across the continent. We believe that the EU’s achievements are far more significant than its shortcomings. We want to work to improve it, but we don’t want to leave it.”

The First Minister warned, however, that if Scotland was taken out of the EU against the will of its population, in the in/out referendum on membership, it would create a “groundswell of anger.”