Scottish independence
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Reverted to revision 224593719 by [[Special:Contributions/Democracy to information|Democracy to information]]; revert original research and video debate EL.
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{{Politics of Scotland}}
'''Scottish independence''' is a political ambition of a number of [[List of political parties in Scotland|political parties]], [[Interest group|pressure groups]] and individuals for [[Scotland]] to [[secede]] from the [[United Kingdom]].
The [[Kingdom of Scotland]] was an independent state from its own [[Political union|unification]] in 843, until 1707, when the [[Treaty of Union]] was passed by the [[Scottish Parliament]], which led to the formation of the united [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]. The [[Acts of Union]], that put the Treaty into effect provided for the merging of the two nations by means of dissolution of the [[Parliament of Scotland]] and the [[Parliament of England]] and their replacement by a new [[Parliament of Great Britain]]. As a result of provisions in the Treaty, as well as much of Scotland's relative isolation, many of Scotland's institutions remained separate and the [[Scottish national identity]] has remained strong and distinct.
At the time of the union of the parliaments, the measure was deeply unpopular<ref>Christopher A Whatley. (2001) ''Bought and Sold for English Gold: The Union of 1707'' (Tuckwell Press, 2001)</ref> in both Scotland and England. The Scottish signatories to the treaty were forced to sign the documents in secrecy because of mass rioting and unrest in the Scottish capital, [[Edinburgh]].<ref>[http://www.parliament.uk/actofunion/06_03_mob.html Mob unrest and disorder :: Act of Union 1707<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Those who oppose Scottish independence and endorse the continuation of a form of union make a distinction between [[nationalism]] and [[patriotism]], believing being part of the United Kingdom to be in the Scottish [[national interest]], and arguing that cultural, social, political, diplomatic and economic influence and benefits enjoyed by Scotland as part of a [[great power]], without compromising its distinctive [[Scottish national identity|national identity]], outweighs the loss of fully independent Scottish [[sovereignty]]. Supporters of Scottish independence claim that the loss of independently Scottish representation internationally is detrimental to Scottish interests, and that as the [[Her Majesty's Government|British government]] acts primarily in the interest of the entire United Kingdom, they claim it can be, in specific instances, to the inadvertent or perceived detriment of specifically Scottish interests.
==History==
=== Early formation and Wars of Independence ===
{{main|Settlement of Great Britain and Ireland}}
{{main|Scotland in the High Middle Ages}}
{{main|Origins of the Kingdom of Alba}}
The [[Kingdom of Alba]] first emerged as a unified [[Nation-state|nation state]] in 843, with its capital at [[Scone]], under the rule of [[List of monarchs of Scotland|King]] [[Kenneth I of Scotland|Kenneth I]], who as ruler of the [[Gaels|Gaelic]] Kingdom of [[Dál Riata]] led a conquest of the [[Picts|Pictish]] kingdom [[Fortriu]] and later expanded his territories to control parts of the [[Brython]]ic [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]] and the [[Angles|Anglo]] [[Kingdom of Northumbria]] after the [[Battle of Carham]]. A similar process of amalgamation also came about in the South of [[Great Britain]] with the formation of the [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] [[Heptarchy]], that developed into the neighbouring [[Kingdom of England]]. The border between the two states was eventually formalised by the [[Treaty of York]] in 1237. The Kingdom of Scotland further expanded with the signing of the [[Treaty of Perth]] with [[Norway]] in 1266, although [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]] would remain under Norwegian rule until 1468.<ref name=bbchistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/history.shtml |title= Scottish Referendums |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> A reliance on sea trade led to close links with the [[Baltic states]], the [[Low Countries]], [[Ireland]] and [[France]]. A [[Competitors for the Crown of Scotland|crisis of succession]] in 1290 severely weakened Scotland and led to an opportunity for the neighbouring English king, who had recently [[Statute of Rhuddlan|conquered the Welsh Kingdoms]], to further consolidate his rule over the whole of [[Great Britain]]. [[Edward I of England|Edward I]] of [[England]] invaded Scotland in 1296 and was initially successful in subduing much of Scotland. However, Edward died in 1307 and Scottish troops under the command of [[Robert I of Scotland|King Robert I]] began waging a war of liberation. Initially employing [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla tactics]] that were pioneered by [[William Wallace]],<ref name=robertthebruce>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/independence/features_independence_bruce2.shtml |title= Robert the Bruce |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2007-07-06}}</ref> Robert was enormously successful and strengthened his position as king, although he was still fighting a de facto civil war against supporters of his murdered rival [[John III Comyn, Lord of Badenoch|John Comyn]], who were eventually defeated at the [[Battle of Inverurie (1308)|Battle of Inverurie]] in 1308. In 1314 [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] sent a large English army to quell the Scottish rising. However, Edward's superior army was routed at the [[Battle of Bannockburn]]. King Robert had won a decisive victory and Scotland secured its independence.<ref name=robertthebruce /> Six years after the Battle, in 1320, the [[Declaration of Arbroath]] was sent by the Scottish nobility to [[Pope John XXII]]. The declaration rejected the claim of the kings of England to the Scottish throne and also emphasised the priority of the entire Scottish nobility over the authority of any single [[List of monarchs of Scotland|monarch]] in maintaining independence.<ref name=bbchistory /> One passage in particular is often quoted from:
:''...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom{{ndash}} for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath_english.html |title= The Declaration of Arbroath (English Translation) |publisher=University of Edinburgh |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref>
England eventually recognised Scottish independence in the [[Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton]]. After the death of Robert the Bruce however, [[Edward Balliol]] and his supporters renewed the rival claim to the throne and counted on English support, which culminated in an English invasion in 1332, sparking the [[Second War of Scottish Independence]]. The English took [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]] after the [[Battle of Halidon Hill]] but this War coincided with the [[Hundred Years' War]], and eventually England became preoccupied with this cause. Bruce's son, [[David II of Scotland]] acting in support of France in the [[Auld Alliance]] was taken prisoner at the [[Battle of Neville's Cross]] in 1346 after his disastrous invasion of England, and was only released eleven years later in 1357, after the [[Parliament of Scotland]] agreed to pay a 100,000 Marks ransom in the [[Treaty of Berwick]], which also marked the last attempt by the Kingdom of England to directly interfere in the [[List of monarchs of Scotland|Scottish succession]]. [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]] itself, remained a disputed territory between England and Scotland, resulting in the [[Anglo-Scottish Wars]], which involved battles such as the [[Battle of Otterburn]], [[Battle of Nesbit Moor]] and the [[Battle of Humbleton Hill]], until the eventual signing of the [[Treaty of Perpetual Peace (1502)|Treaty of Perpetual Peace]] in 1502. This treaty was also later broken however, with Scotland's invasion of England, again as part of the Auld Alliance, in the [[War of the League of Cambrai]] in 1513, culminating in the [[Battle of Flodden Field]]. A further war with England broke out under [[James V of Scotland|King James V]] with the [[Battle of Haddon Rig]] and [[Battle of Solway Moss]] in 1542. After the King's death, and the coronation of [[Mary I of Scotland|Mary Queen of Scots]], the first proposal for a Union of the two Kingdoms was raised in the [[Treaty of Greenwich]], which itself ultimately led to further conflict in [[The Rough Wooing]]. The last pitched battle to be fought between the Kingdoms of Scotland and England was the [[Battle of Pinkie Cleugh]] in 1547.
=== Union of the Crowns ===
[[Image:JamesIEngland.jpg|King James VI|thumb|right|147px]]
{{main|Union of the Crowns}}
In 1603 [[James I of England|King James VI]] of Scotland inherited the throne of England (as King James I), after the death of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]], and thus "united" Scotland and England under a single monarch.<ref name=bbchistory /> The term "united" itself, though now generally accepted, is misleading; for properly speaking this was merely a [[Personal union|personal]] or [[dynastic union]], the crowns remaining both distinct and separate. Despite James' best efforts to create a new [[Kingdom of Great Britain]],<ref name= kingjames /> [[England]] and [[Scotland]] continued to be resolutely independent [[state]]s, maintaining independent [[parliament]]s and [[government]]s.
The new king was initially popular in England as a ruler who already had male heirs waiting in the wing. But James' honeymoon was of very short duration; and his initial political actions and belief in the [[Divine Right of Kings]] were to do much to create a rather negative tone. The greatest and most obvious of these was the question of his exact status and title. James intended to be King of the entire [[British Isles]], exemplified in his commission of the [[Union Flag]].<ref name=kingjames>{{cite book | last = Willson | first = David Harris | title = King James VI & 1 | publisher = Jonathan Cape Ltd | isbn = 0224605720}}</ref> His first obstacle in this imperial ambition however was the attitude of the [[Parliament of England]] which opposed the loss of England's independence.<ref>{{cite book | last = Croft | first = Pauline | title = King James | publisher = Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan | isbn = 0333613953}}</ref> In Scotland the union desired by James met with the same lack of zeal that it did in England.<ref name= kingjames />
=== Wars of the Three Kingdoms ===
[[Image:Flag of The Commonwealth.svg|thumb|150px|left|Flag of the Commonwealth of England]]
{{main|Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms}}
After the execution of [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] the previous year, in 1650, part of the [[Parliament of England|English Parliament]]'s [[New Model Army]] invaded Scotland to fight Scottish [[Covenanter]]s at the start of the [[Third English Civil War]]. The Covenanters, who had fought against the Crown during the [[Bishops' Wars]] and had been allied to the English Parliament in the [[First English Civil War]], had crowned [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] as King of Scots. Despite being outnumbered, [[Oliver Cromwell]] led the Army to crushing victories over Charles's Scottish army commanded by [[David Leslie, Lord Newark|David Leslie]] at the battles of [[Battle of Dunbar (1650)|Dunbar]] and [[Battle of Inverkeithing|Inverkeithing]]. Following the Scottish invasion of England led by Charles II, the New Model Army and local militia forces soundly defeated the Royalists at the [[Battle of Worcester]], the last pitched battle of the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]]. During the [[English Interregnum|Interregnum]], Scotland was kept under the military occupation of the New Model Army under [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle|George Monck]]. They were kept busy throughout by the [[Royalist rising of 1651 to 1654]] in the Scottish Highlands and by endemic lawlessness by bandits known as [[Moss-trooper|mosstroopers]]. The [[Commonwealth of England]] and later [[The Protectorate]] imposed a brief Anglo-Scottish parliamentary union from April 1652, however, the [[The Restoration|Restoration]] of Charles II in 1660 saw the return of Scottish autonomy in the [[Parliament of Scotland]].<ref>[http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/glossary/settlement-scotland.htm The Settlement of Scotland 1651-60]</ref>
=== Treaty of Union ===
{{main|Acts of Union 1707}}
Once the terms of the Treaty of Union were agreed, the Scottish and English Parliaments passed Acts of Union (England in 1706 and Scotland in 1707) to put the provisions of the Treaty into effect and create a [[Political union]]. Both the Scottish and the English Parliaments were dissolved, and all their powers were transferred to a new [[Parliament of Great Britain]] located in the largest city in the new United Kingdom, [[London]]. Certain significant matters remained separate, including [[Scots law]], the [[Burgh]] system, [[education in Scotland]], the [[Church of Scotland]] and the [[Order of the Thistle]]. Most aspects of [[Scottish culture]] and [[Scottish national identity]] remained strong and distinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article592512.ece |title= Act of Union is key to Scottish identity |publisher=The Times |date= [[2005-11-21]]|accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref>
[[Image:Map of Scotland within the United Kingdom.png|146px|thumb|Scotland's location within the United Kingdom]]
On [[16 January]] [[1707]], after three months of clause-by-clause debate, the Scots Parliament voted decisively by 110 to 67 for union. The ultimate securing of the treaty in the [[Parliament of Scotland]] can be attributed to a number of factors.<ref name=monarchych4>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/M/monarchy/documents/act_of_union.html |title= Act of Union 1707 |publisher=Channel 4 |date= [[2007-04-01]] |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> One of the primary motivations in favour of the Union was constitutional. In England, the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688 that had deposed the Catholic [[James II of England|King James II]] in favour of his Protestant daughter [[William and Mary|Queen Mary II]] and her husband [[William III of England|William of Orange]] had been widely welcomed, but in Scotland, it was far more controversial. The Presbyterian majority tended to support King William, while the significant minority of Episcopalians and Catholics tended to support James. The passing of the [[Claim of Right Act 1689]] led to the first of the [[Jacobite risings]], resulting in the [[Battle of Killiecrankie|Battles of Killiecrankie]], [[Battle of Dunkeld|Dunkeld]] and [[Battle of Cromdale|Cromdale]].
The [[Act of Settlement 1701]] was, in many ways, a major cause of the Union. The Parliament of Scotland was not happy with the Act of Settlement, as the English Parliament had determined the heir to the throne was [[Sophia of Hanover]], granddaughter of [[James I of England|King James VI of Scotland]], without formally consulting the Scottish Parliament. In response, the Scottish Parliament passed the [[Salic Law]]-based [[Act of Security 1704|Act of Security]] in 1704, which gave Scotland the right to choose its own Protestant male successor to the childless [[Anne of Great Britain|Queen Anne]].
As a result, the [[Parliament of England]] — fearing that at the height of the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], Scotland under a separate, potentially [[House of Stuart|Stuart]], monarchy would restore the [[Auld Alliance]] with [[France]] — decided that, in order to deter any potential French-supported Jacobite invasion of Great Britain, full union of the two Parliaments and nations was essential before Anne's death, and with French military power weakened after the [[Battle of Blenheim]], used a combination of exclusionary legislation (the [[Alien Act of 1705]]), diplomacy and bribery to achieve it within three years under the Act of Union 1707. This was in marked contrast to the four attempts at political union between 1606 and 1689, which all failed owing to a lack of political will in both kingdoms. By virtue of Article II of the Treaty of Union, which defined the succession to the British Crown, the Act of Settlement became part of [[Scots Law]] as well.
The failure of the [[Darien scheme]], which had effectively bankrupted many people in Scotland and drained the fragile Scottish economy of more than a quarter of its [[Market liquidity|liquid assets]], was another major incentive. Many Commissioners had invested heavily in the [[Company of Scotland]] and they believed that they would receive compensation for their losses; Article 14 of the Act of Union stipulated that a future Parliament of Great Britain would grant [[Pound sterling|£]]398,085 10[[Shilling|s]] sterling to Scotland to offset future Scottish liability towards the English national debt. In essence, it was also used as a means of compensation for Scotland's losses in the Darien Scheme.<ref>Lynch (2001) p604-606</ref> Half of Scotland's trade in the early 1700s was with England, and this, along with the offer of further [[free trade]] with England's already extensive [[British Empire|overseas colonies]], was likely one of the principal reasons the Acts of Union were not as heavily resisted by the government of Scotland as they had with other previous attempts to amalgamate the two countries. Bribery was also prevalent,<ref name=monarchych4 /> money was dispatched from England to Scotland for distribution by the [[Earl of Glasgow]]. Some of this money was used to hire [[spies]], such as [[Daniel Defoe]].
The Acts of Union were largely unpopular amongst the general population in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow_union.htm |title= Union of the Parliaments 1707 |publisher=Rampant Scotland |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> Many [[petition]]s were sent to parliament against the union, and there were protests in [[Edinburgh]] and several other Scottish towns on the day it was passed, threats of widespread civil unrest resulted in the imposition of [[martial law]]. As a result of the unrest in the capital, the signing of the treaty had to be conducted in secrecy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1525&id=82392007 |title= Treaty was signed 'in the female toilets of restaurant' |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-01-16]]|accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> [[George Lockhart|Sir George Lockhart of Carnwath]] noted that "the whole nation appears against the Union." [[John Clerk of Penicuik|Sir John Clerk of Penicuik]], an ardent pro-unionist, observed that the treaty was "contrary to the inclinations of at least three-fourths of the Kingdom".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alba.org.uk/timeline/to1707.html |title= Chronology of Scottish Politics |publisher=alba.org.uk |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> Many opponents of the Treaty of Union had proposed an alternative to full Parliamentary Union along the lines of other European composite states, such as the [[Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth]].{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Despite this initial opposition, the economic benefits to Scotland from the Union soon became apparent with the beginning of the [[Scottish Enlightenment]], [[Tobacco Lords|American Tobacco Trade]] and later growth from the expansion of the [[British Empire]] and [[Industrial Revolution]] which led to the rapid expansion and industrialisation of [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]].
=== Scottish home rule ===
{{main|Scottish Assembly}}
The [[Visit of King George IV to Scotland]] in 1822, and subsequent rise in [[Tartanry]], did much to reinvigorate a sense of a specifically Scottish national identity, which had been split between the [[Scottish Episcopal Church|Episcopalian]] and [[Roman Catholic Church in Scotland|Roman Catholic]]-dominated [[Scottish Highlands|Highlands]] and the [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]]-dominated [[Scottish Lowlands|Lowlands]] since the [[Glorious Revolution]] in 1688, and continued during the 18th century through the [[Jacobite risings]], the [[Act of Proscription 1746|Act of Proscription]] and subsequent process of [[Highland Clearances]] by landlords. From the mid 19th century calls for the [[devolution]] of control over Scottish affairs began to be raised, but support for full independence remained limited. The "home rule" movement for a [[Scottish Assembly]] was first taken up in 1853 by a body close to the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], complaining about the fact that Ireland received more support from the British Government than Scotland and soon began to receive [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]] backing,<ref name=bbchistory /> In 1885, the Post of [[Secretary for Scotland]] and the [[Scottish Office]] were re-established to promote Scotland’s interests and voice its grievances to the British Parliament. In 1886 however, [[William Gladstone]] introduced the [[Irish Government Bill 1886|Irish Home Rule Bill]]. When many Scots compared what they had to the Irish offer of Home Rule, this was considered inadequate. It was not an immediate constitutional priority however, especially after the Irish Home Rule Bill was defeated in the [[House of Commons]], and by the time a Scottish home rule bill was first presented to parliament in 1913, its progress, along with the [[Home Rule Act 1914|Irish Home Rule Act 1914]] was interrupted by [[World War I]] and subsequently became overshadowed by the [[Easter Rising]] and [[Irish War of Independence]], although the Scottish Office was relocated to [[St. Andrew's House]] in Edinburgh during the 1930s.<ref name=bbchistory /><ref>[http://www.skyminds.net/politics/scottish-politics/scottish-home-rule/ Scottish Home Rule]</ref>
The Scottish National Party itself was formed in 1934 after the union of the [[National Party of Scotland]] and [[Scottish Party]]. The SNP did not support all-out independence for Scotland, but rather the establishment of a devolved [[Scottish Assembly]], within the United Kingdom. This became the party's initial position on the constitutional status of Scotland as a result of a compromise between the NPS, who did support independence, and the Scottish Party who were devolutionists. However, the SNP quickly reverted to the original NPS stance of supporting full independence for Scotland. The [[Interwar period]] proved difficult years for the SNP, with the rise of undemocratic nationalist forces in Europe in the shape of fascism in Italy and Spain and [[Nazism|national socialism]] in Germany. The alleged similarity between SNP and foreign nationalists, combined with other factors such as a lack of profile in the mainstream media made it difficult for the SNP to grow.<ref>[http://www.scottishindependence.com/snp_history.htm History of the Scottish National Party]</ref>
The concept of full independence or the less controversial [[Devolution|Home-rule]], did not re-enter the Scottish mainstream until the 1960s, with the famous [[Wind of Change (speech)|Wind of Change]] speech by [[Harold Macmillan]], which marked the high-point of [[Decolonization|Decolonisation]] and the decline of the [[British Empire]], which had already suffered the humiliation of the 1956 [[Suez Crisis]]. For many in Scotland, this served to undermine one of the principal [[raison d'être]]s of the [[United Kingdom]] and also symbolised the end of popular [[imperialism]] and imperial unity which had united the prominent [[Unionist Party (Scotland)|Scottish Unionist Party]], which subsequently entered a steady decline in support.<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=51&id=77422007 Scottish independence...]</ref><ref>[http://www.tomorrowproject.net/pub/1__GLIMPSES/Individuals__identity_and_values/-138.html National identities > The story so far]</ref> The SNP won a Parliamentary seat in 1967, when [[Winnie Ewing]] was the surprise winner of the [[Hamilton by-election, 1967]]. This brought the SNP to national prominence, leading to [[Edward Heath]]'s 1968 [[Declaration of Perth]] and the establishment of the [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Kilbrandon Commission]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/c20scot.shtml Scottish Referendums]</ref>
=== 1970s resurgence ===
{{details|Scotland referendum, 1979}}
The discovery of [[North Sea oil]] off the east coast of Scotland further invigorated the debate over Scottish independence.<ref name=bbchistory2>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/c20scot.shtml |title= The Devolution Debate This Century |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> The [[Scottish National Party]] organised a hugely successful campaign entitled "[[It's Scotland's oil]]", emphasising the way in which the discovery of oil could benefit Scotland's then-struggling [[Deindustrialization|Deindustrialising]] economy and its populace.<ref name=McCrone>{{cite web |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article331945.ece |title= How black gold was hijacked: North sea oil and the betrayal of Scotland |publisher=The Independent |date= [[2007-06-10]]|accessdate=2007-06-10}}</ref> In the [[United Kingdom general election, 1974 (February)|February 1974 General Election]] the seven SNP MPs were returned. The failure of the Labour Party to secure an overall majority prompted them to quickly return to the polls. In the subsequent [[United Kingdom general election, October 1974|October 1974]] election, the SNP performed even better than they had done earlier in the year, winning 11 MPs and managing to garner over 30% of the total vote in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/seats74b.htm |title= Regional distribution of seats and percentage vote |publisher=psr.keele.ac.uk |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref>
The Labour Party under [[Harold Wilson]] had won the election by a tiny majority of only three seats. Following their election to parliament, the SNP MPs pressed for the creation of a [[Scottish Assembly]], which was given added credibility after the conclusions of the Kilbrandon Commission. However, opponents demanded that a referendum be held on the issue. Although the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] and the Scottish National Party both officially supported devolution, support was split in both parties. Labour was divided between those who favoured devolution and those who wanted to maintain a full central Westminster government. In the SNP, there was division between those who saw devolution as a stepping stone to independence and those who feared it might actually distract from that ultimate goal.<ref name=bbchistory2 />
The resignation of Harold Wilson brought [[James Callaghan]] to power, however its small majority was eroded with several by-election losses and the government became increasingly unpopular during the [[Winter of Discontent]], although an arrangement was negotiated in 1977 with the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberals]] known as the [[Lib-Lab pact]] and a succession of deals with the Scottish National Party and [[Plaid Cymru]] to hold referendums on devolution in exchange for their support, had helped to prolong the government's life.
The result of the referendum in Scotland was a narrow majority in favour of devolution (52% to 48%).<ref name=bbchistory2 /> However, a condition of the referendum was that 40% of the total electorate should vote in favour in order to make it valid. Thus, with a turnout of 63.6%, only 32.9% had voted "Yes". The [[Scotland Act 1978]] was consequently repealed in March 1979 by a vote of 301-206 in parliament. In the wake of the referendum the supporters of the bill conducted a protest campaign under the slogan "Scotland said yes". They argued that the 40% rule was undemocratic and that the referendum results justified the establishment of the assembly. However, campaigners for a "No" vote countered that voters had been told before the referendum that failing to vote itself was as good as a "No".<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960426/debtext/60426-18.htm Hansard record of 26 April 1996 : Column 735]</ref> It was therefore incorrect to conclude that the 36.4% who did not vote, was entirely down to [[Voter fatigue|Voter apathy]].
In protest, the Scottish National Party MPs withdrew their support from the government. A [[Motion of no confidence|vote of no confidence]] was then tabled by the Conservatives and supported by the SNP, the Liberals and [[Ulster Unionist Party|Ulster Unionists]]. It passed by one vote on 28 March 1979, forcing the [[United Kingdom general election, 1979|May 1979 General Election]], which was won by [[Margaret Thatcher]], effectively ending the [[Post-war consensus]]. The then Labour Prime Minister, [[James Callaghan]], famously described this decision by the SNP as that of, 'turkeys voting for Christmas'.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/election97/background/pastelec/ge79.htm BBC report on 1979 election]</ref><ref>''Hansard'', House of Commons, 5th series, vol. 965, col. 471.</ref> The SNP returned only two MPs in the 1979 election, leading to the formation of the controversial [[79 Group]] within the SNP.
=== Devolution ===
{{details|Scottish Parliament}}
[[Image:Scotparialmentinside.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament]]
Supporters of Scottish independence continued to hold mixed views on the [[Scottish Assembly|Home Rule]] movement which included many supporters of union who wanted devolution within the framework of the [[United Kingdom]]. Some saw it as a stepping stone to independence, while others wanted to go straight for independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=944552003 |title= SNP should return to the honest argument on independence |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2003-08-23]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>
In the years of the Conservative government post 1979, the [[Campaign for a Scottish Assembly]] was established, eventually publishing the [[Claim of Right 1989]]. This then led to the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]]. The convention promoted consensus on devolution on a cross-party basis, though the Conservative Party refused to co-operate and the Scottish National Party withdrew from the discussions when it became clear that the convention was unwilling to discuss Scottish independence as a constitutional option.<ref name=bbchistory2 />. Arguments against devolution and the Scottish Parliament, levelled mainly by the Conservative Party, were that the Parliament would create a "slippery slope" to Scottish independence, and provide the pro-independence Scottish National Party with a route to government.<ref name="Devolution">{{cite web |url=http://www.economist.com/research/backgrounders/displaystory.cfm?story_id=326221 |title=Breaking the Old Place up |publisher=The Economist |date=1999-11-04 |accessdate=2006-10-14}}</ref> [[John Major]], the Conservative prime minister before May 1997, campaigned during the 1997 General Election on the slogan "72 hours to save the union".<ref name="Major">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/background/pastelec/ge97.shtml |title=Politics 97 |date=September 1997 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2006-10-14}}</ref>
The Labour Party won the [[United Kingdom general election, 1997|1997 General Election]] and [[Donald Dewar]] as [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] agreed to the proposals for a [[Scottish Parliament]]. A referendum was held in September of that year and seventy-five percent of those who voted approved the devolution plan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/referendums/Scotland1997.cfm |title= Referendums, Scotland - 1997 |publisher=The Electoral Commission |accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref> The [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] subsequently approved the [[Scotland Act]] which created an elected [[Scottish Parliament]] with control over most domestic policy.<ref name=bbchistory2 /> In May 1999 Scotland held its [[Scottish Parliament election, 1999|first election]] for a devolved parliament and in July the Scottish Parliament held session for the first time since the previous parliament had been adjourned in 1707.
The Scottish Parliament is a [[unicameral]] [[legislature]] comprising 129 [[Members of the Scottish Parliament|Members]], 73 of whom represent individual [[Scottish Parliament constituencies|constituencies]] and are elected on a [[first past the post]] system; 56 are elected in eight different electoral regions by the [[additional member system (Scottish Parliament)|additional member system]], serving for a four year period. The Queen appoints one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]], (MSP), on the nomination of the Parliament, to be [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]]. Other Ministers are also appointed by the Queen on the nomination of the Parliament and together with the First Minister they make up the [[Scottish Government]], the [[Executive (government)|executive]] arm of [[government]].<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Ministers "About Scottish Ministers"] Scottish Government. Retrieved [[September 26]] [[2007]].</ref>
The Labour Party's Donald Dewar became the [[First Minister of Scotland]], while the Scottish National Party became the main opposition party. With the approval of all parties, the egalitarian song "[[A Man's A Man for A' That]]" by [[Robert Burns]], was performed at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Parliament has [[legislative]] authority for all non-[[reserved matters]] relating to Scotland, and has [[Tartan Tax|limited power to vary income tax]], a power it has yet to exercise. The Scottish Parliament can refer devolved matters back to Westminster to be considered as part of United Kingdom-wide legislation by passing a [[Legislative Consent Motion]] if United Kingdom-wide legislation is considered to be more appropriate for certain issues. The programmes of legislation enacted by the Scottish Parliament since 1999 have seen a divergence in the provision of [[public services]] compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. For instance, the costs of a university education, and care services for the elderly are free at point of use in Scotland, while fees are paid in the rest of the UK. Scotland was the first country in the UK to ban smoking in enclosed public places.<ref>BBC Scotland News Online "[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4845260.stm Scotland begins pub smoking ban]", ''BBC Scotland News'', [[2006-03-26]]. Retrieved on [[2006-07-17]].</ref>
Scotland is also represented in the [[British House of Commons]] by [[List of MPs for Scottish constituencies 2005-|59 MPs]] elected from territory-based [[Scottish Westminster constituencies from 2005|Scottish constituencies]].
The Scottish National Party emerged from the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2007|2007 Scottish Parliament election]] as the single largest party by a margin of one seat,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/scotland/story/0,,2072912,00.html |title= SNP wins historic victory |publisher=The Guardian |date= [[2007-05-04]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref> breaking the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party's]] 30 year dominance of [[politics in Scotland]]. Lacking an overall [[Majority government|majority]], the Scottish National Party formed a [[minority government]], installing leader [[Alex Salmond]] as [[First Minister of Scotland]]. Alex Salmond has announced that his government intends to publish a [[white paper]] that will include issuing a bill on holding an independence [[Referendum]] to the Scottish Parliament. If this was passed by Parliament and a "yes" outcome was obtained in a subsequent national plebiscite, it would establish a mandate for the [[Scottish Executive]] to open talks with the [[Her Majesty's Government|British Government]], with a view to repealing the [[Acts of Union 1707]], eventually restoring Scotland's independent sovereignty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=950182007 |title= Top Tory backs vote on independence |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-06-18]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>
=== Referendum on independence ===
The [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) government has a manifesto commitment of holding a [[referendum]] by 2010.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6548717.stm At-a-glance: SNP manifesto</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/12_04_07_snpmanifesto.pdf SNP Manifesto (PDF)]</ref>
The [[Scottish Conservative Party|Scottish Conservatives]] and [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] continue to oppose a referendum. However, [[Wendy Alexander]], while leader of [[Scottish Labour Party|Scottish Labour]] [[Member of Scottish Parliament|MSPs]], had been seen as straying from her party's anti-referendum stance. In May 2008 she called for a referendum within 12 months, saying the SNP should have "courage of its convictions".<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7383035.stm 'Bring on' referendum - Alexander</ref> In a subsequent [[Prime Minister's Questions]] time, [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] denied that Alexander's statement was intended to contradict party policy.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article3890550.ece Wendy Alexander isolated in breakaway vote crisis</ref>. Alexander's words also caused concern amongst the other founders of the [[Scottish Constitutional Commission]]<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7391667.stm 'Concern' over referendum shift</ref>. In response to Alexander, SNP First Minister [[Alex Salmond]] told the Scottish parliament that he would be sticking to the SNP manifesto commitment of a 2010 referendum, which would be held in the same year as the [[Next United Kingdom general election|next General Election]].<ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/may/08/scotland.labour1 Cameron accuses Brown of losing control as Scotland row rages on</ref>
It should be noted however that any referendum for Scottish independence or any Scottish parliamentary bill seeking to change the constitutional status of Scotland as determined by the Scottish Parliament would not be legally binding on the UK Government; under the [[Scotland Act 1998]] the United Kingdom parliament holds absolute [[parliamentary sovereignty]] and any changes to the constitutional status are reserved as a matter for Westminster<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/Acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980046_en_1 Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Further, the UK Parliament has the right to amend, alter or repeal the Scotland Act and remove the constitutional status of the Scottish Parliament at any time, allowing it to effectively block any move for independence - although such an action would have significant political ramifications.
== Support for independence ==
=== Nationalism ===
{{details|History of the Scottish National Party}}
The [[Scots National League]] formed in 1921 as a body primarily based in [[London]] seeking Scottish independence, largely influenced by [[Sinn Féin]]. They established the ''[[Scots Independent]]'' newspaper in 1926 and in 1928 they helped the [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]] form the [[National Party of Scotland]], aiming at a separate Scottish state. One of the founders was [[Hugh MacDiarmid]], a poet who had begun promoting a Scottish literature, while others had Labour Party links.
They cooperated with the [[Scottish Party]], a home rule organisation formed in 1932 by former members of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], and in 1934 they merged to form the [[Scottish National Party]] which at first supported only home rule, but then changed to supporting independence. They suffered a setback in the 1930s when the name of nationalism became associated with the [[National Socialist German Workers Party|National Socialists]] in [[Germany]], however Scottish nationalism is based on [[civic nationalism]] rather than ethnic or ultra-nationalism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cre.gov.uk/publs/connections/04sp_scotland.html |title= Multiculturalism and Scottish nationalism |publisher=Commission for Racial Equality |accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref> The SNP enjoyed a number of election successes in the 1960s, and the discovery of [[North Sea]] oil in the 1970s countered concerns about the economic viability of an independent Scotland.<ref name="McCrone" /> The discovery of North Sea oil and the subsequent revenues that went to the United Kingdom treasury have been argued to have benefited Scotland little, with many conservative estimates suggesting over £200 billion of revenue have been amassed thus far. There are also a number of other organisations with a primarily nationalist ideological orientation, from [[Siol nan Gaidheal]], which seeks to revitalise the independence movement through primarily cultural means, to the militant [[Scottish National Liberation Army]].
=== Republicanism ===
The independence movement is a disparate one that covers varied political standpoints. While many are [[Republicanism|republican]], this is not [[Scottish National Party]] policy. The SNP styles itself as an inclusive institution, subordinating ideological tensions to the primary goal of securing independence. Many nationalists, including Alex Salmond, personally support the retention of the current [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Monarch]] - who herself is half-Scottish, through her mother, [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon]] - with Scotland becoming a [[Commonwealth Realm]], similar to [[Canada]] or [[Australia]], should independence occur. This would effectively return Scotland to its previous constitutional state of [[dynastic union]], after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Proportional representation has led to the election to the Scottish Parliament of smaller parties with various political positions but which have independence as a goal; in the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2003|2003 Scottish Parliament election]] the gains made by the [[Scottish Green Party]] and the [[Scottish Socialist Party]] boosted the number of pro-independence MSPs. The Scottish Socialist Party has led republican protests and authored the [[Declaration of Calton Hill]], calling for an independent republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/politics/story/0,,1323939,00.html |title= Holyrood survives birth pains |publisher=Guardian Unlimited | date=[[2004-10-10]]|accessdate=2007-06-21}}</ref>
=== Self-determination ===
A number of cross party groupings have been established with the aim of widening the scope of the pro-independence viewpoint and campaigning for a referendum on the issue. The most significant being the [[Independence Convention]] which seeks "Firstly, to create a forum for those of all political persuasions and none who support independence; and secondly, to be a national catalyst for Scottish independence."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishindependenceconvention.com/Introduction.asp |title= Introduction: Aims and Questions |publisher=Scottish Independence Convention |accessdate=2007-07-04}}</ref> Another being [[Independence First]], a pro-referendum [[pressure group]] which has organised public demonstrations.
=== Political parties ===
Scottish independence is supported most prominently by the [[Scottish National Party]], but other parties also have pro-independence policies. Among them are the [[Scottish Green Party]], the [[Scottish Socialist Party]], [[Solidarity (Scotland)|Solidarity]] and the [[Scottish Independence Party]].
Fifty of the seats in the Scottish Parliament are held by pro-independence members, nearly 40% of the total. This comprises 47 Scottish National Party members, two Green members and [[Margo MacDonald]], an independent politician.
== Opposition ==
{{main|Unionism in Scotland}}
[[Image:Gordon Brown IMF.jpg|thumb|right|147px|[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]], himself a Scot, has emerged as the foremost contemporary supporter of the union.]]
There is also a mainstream body of opinion opposed to Scottish independence and in favour of the continuation of the union with [[England]], [[Wales]], and [[Northern Ireland]]. This has never emerged as a homogeneous movement, but rather represents a general consensus of the main [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|British political parties]] and other prominent commentators. Specifically within the [[Scottish Parliament]]. The Union is supported by the [[Scottish Labour Party]], [[Scottish Conservative Party]] and [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]], who since the [[Scottish Parliament election, 2007|2007 election]], collectively hold 79 of the 129 seats, over 60% of the Parliament. Opposition to Scottish independence is also held by many individual figures such as [[George Galloway]], it is also opposed by many smaller political parties such as the [[Scottish Unionist Party]] and the [[United Kingdom Independence Party]] (UKIP). It is a broad viewpoint that ranges from those in support of the United Kingdom as a centralised [[unitary state]] governed exclusively by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], to those who support varying degrees of [[Devolution|devolved]] transfer of administrative and legislative responsibilities from [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster]] to [[Scottish Parliament|Holyrood]], including those who support a solution to the controversial [[West Lothian question]], such as [[Federation|Federalism]], similar to [[Germany]], [[Canada]] or the [[United States]].
Opponents of independence argue that the [[Economy of Scotland]] has performed well in recent years, with consistent economic growth,<ref>[http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/publications/scotland-competing-with-the-world.pdf Scotland &mdsah; competing with the world]</ref> [[Urban renewal|urban regeneration]],<ref>[http://www.glasgow-edinburgh.co.uk/?page_id=24 The Cities Are Back]</ref> a growing population,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6595431.stm Population rises for fourth year]</ref> historically low unemployment rates,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3479209.stm Scots unemployment at record low]</ref> Edinburgh's position as Europe's fifth largest financial centre<ref>[http://www.sgpe.ac.uk/economics/finance.htm Economics in Scotland]</ref> and Scottish [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] per capita being the largest of any part of the United Kingdom after [[Greater London]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} As a result of this, Unionists believe Scotland is economically stronger as a part of the [[Economy of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom Economy]], and that a country as relatively small as Scotland is comparatively better able to prosper in an increasingly [[Globalization|globalised]] world with the international influence and stability derived from being part of an economically [[Great power|powerful state]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/evandavis/2007/04/the_scottish_gamble_1.html |title= The Scottish gamble |publisher=BBC News|date= [[2007-04-30]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref> Many Unionists have also contested claims by the SNP that Scotland currently underperforms economically, relative to other small countries in the region; such as [[Economy of Norway|Norway]], [[Economy of Finland|Finland]] and [[Celtic Tiger|Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jimdevine.org.uk/EZEdit/popups/uploads/How%20Scotland%20really%20compares%20with%20Ireland%20Norway.pdf|title= How Scotland really compares with Ireland, Norway and Finland |publisher=Jim Devine MP|date= [[2007-12-21]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}} Also, with the [[HM Treasury|Treasury's]] [[Barnett formula]], Scotland is currently able to sustain higher levels of [[per capita]] [[Public finance|public spending]] relative to the rest of the UK, because of its disproportionate contribution of tax revenues from oil production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/evandavis/2007/04/the_scottish_gamble_1.html |title= The Scottish gamble |publisher=BBC News|date= [[2007-04-30]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2008}}
Unionists{{Who|date=June 2008}} claim this would be difficult to sustain after independence<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Oil-price-fuels-fresh-row.4209389.jp |title= Oil price fuels fresh row on Scots 'deficit'|publisher=The Scotsman|date= [[2008-06-21]]|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref>, without raising taxes, as [[North Sea oil]] revenues will [[Peak oil|decline]] in the longer-term,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Doubts-raised-over-future-of.3310480.jp |title= Doubts raised over future of shipyards under independence |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-07-27]]|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2008}} although others argue{{Who|date=June 2008}} that a culture of maintaining a comparatively large public sector and [[welfare state]] in Scotland is also an impediment to more substantial and competitive economic growth seen in other nations like [[Economy of the Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], and that the surplus oil revenue ought to have been invested in a [[Sovereign wealth fund]] like [[The Government Pension Fund of Norway]], with some{{Who|date=June 2008}} wishing to reduce public spending and devolve more fiscal powers to the Scottish Parliament in order to address this issue within the broader framework of the Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=447&id=134592007 |title= Study finds no benefit in fiscal autonomy as McCrone calls time on Barnett |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-01-26]]|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4803758.stm|title= 'Billions needed' to boost growth |publisher=BBC News |date= [[2006-03-14]]|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=385272006|title= Public/private sectors in economy need to be rebalanced |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2006-03-15]]|accessdate=2007-08-18}}</ref>
[[Image:Populations of the nations in the United Kingdom.svg|280px|thumb|right|The population and percentage of total population of Scotland relative to the four nations of the United Kingdom.]]
Another argument in favour of a continued union is that as part of a unitary British state, Scotland has more influence on [[Foreign relations of the United Kingdom|international affairs]] and diplomacy, both [[Soft power|politically]] and [[Hard power|militarily]], as part of [[NATO]], the [[G8]] and as a permanent member of the [[UN Security Council]]. According to the laws governing [[Succession of states|Successor states]]{{Fact|date=June 2008}}, in a similar manner to the way [[Russia]] succeeded the former [[Soviet Union]]'s position within the international community, the rest of the United Kingdom would retain all its [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|diplomatic]] links and membership of [[International organization|international organisations]], with Scotland having to raise its own [[Armed forces|Armed Forces]], establish its own [[Diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom|diplomatic contacts]] and apply for separate membership of international organistions such as the [[United Nations]], as the rest of the UK would continue to maintain its seat on the Security Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=3328377 |title= Independent Scotland would have to apply to join EU |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-09-19]]|}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2008}}
Some{{Who|date=June 2008}} within Scotland who oppose further [[United States of Europe|integration]] of the [[European Union]] also claim that independence within Europe outside the ''[[EU three]]'' would, paradoxically, mean that Scotland would be more marginalised, as a relatively small independent country applying to join the EU, Scotland would be unable to resist the whims and demands of larger member nations, such as being obliged to adopt the [[Euro]] and have no greater influence over the formation of treaties like the [[Common Fisheries Policy]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpolitician.com/articledes.asp?ID=2725&cid=3&sid=74 |title= Scottish Independence - Reality or Illusion? |publisher=Global Politician |date= [[2007-01-05]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}}{{Failed verification|date=June 2008}} and as a result would be even more politically "impotent"{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}} with the resulting loss of its current political influence within the UK Government, which has been claimed by some to be so significant that it has been occasionally dubbed as the "''[[Scottish raj]]''".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2001/conferences_2001/snp/1556912.stm |title= Scots urged to raise their profile |publisher=BBC |date= [[2001-09-22]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>
There are others, such as the historian [[Niall Ferguson]], who view a desire for independence as symptomatic of the so-called [[Parochialism|parochial]] "''[[Scottish cringe]]''" and assert that some nationalists are [[Bigotry|Bigoted]] or [[Anglophobic]] [[Chauvinism|chauvinists]]{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}} in their attitude towards England.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_a_l/bruce_anderson/article2018684.ece |title= The sullen self-pity of Anglophobic Scots |publisher=The Independent |date= [[2006-11-27]]|}}</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}} As a result, many unionists{{Who|date=June 2008}} emphasise the historical and contemporary cultural ties between Scotland and the rest of the UK, from the [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]] and [[Union of Crowns]], to Scottish involvement in the growth and development of the [[British Empire]] and contribution of the [[Scottish Enlightenment]] and [[Industrial Revolution]], to a shared solidarity during the [[Battle of Britain]] to shared contemporary [[Popular culture]], primarily through the prevalence of the [[English language]] and a shared [[Pound sterling|currency]], to the current demographics, where almost half of the Scottish population have relatives in England, almost a million Scots living and working in England and 400,000 [[Anglo-Scot]]s now living in Scotland<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/opinion/The-Union-Jocks.3786184.jp|title= The Union Jocks |publisher=Scotland on Sunday |date= [[2008-02-17]]|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}}{{Failed verification|date=June 2008}}. There are also significant economic links with the Scottish [[Military-industrial complex]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1171132007 |title= Doubts raised over future of shipyards under independence |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2007-07-27]]|accessdate=2007-08-20}}</ref> as well as close links between the Scottish financial sector and [[Global city|Global]] [[London]]-based financial institutions, such as the [[London Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;?xml=/opinion/2007/04/11/do1101.xml |title= Scots and English flourish in the Union
|publisher=The Telegraph |date= [[2001-04-11]]|accessdate=2007-06-20}}</ref>{{POV-statement|date=June 2008}}
== Public opinion ==
Despite the large number of [[opinion polls]] conducted on the issue, it is difficult to gauge accurately Scottish public opinion on independence because of the often widely varying results of the polls. Poll results often differ wildly depending on the wording of the question, with the terms such as "break up" and "seperation" often provoking a negative response. For example, an opinion poll published by the [[The Scotsman]] newspaper in November 2006 revealed that a "Majority of Scots now favour independence".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=324&id=1615112006 |title= Vital gains forecast for SNP in swing from Labour |publisher=The Scotsman |date= [[2006-11-01]]|accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> However, a poll conducted only a matter of weeks later purported the exact opposite. The research funded by [[Channel 4]] reported that "The figure in support of Scottish independence had seemingly dropped".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/factcheck+do+the+scots+support+independence/251043 |title= Do the Scots support independence? |publisher=Channel 4 |date= [[2007-01-18]]|accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> A third poll by [[The Daily Telegraph]] claimed that a significant proportion of Britons would accept the breakup of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/26/nunion26.xml |title= Britain wants UK break up, poll shows |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date= [[2006-11-27]]|accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> Research conducted in early 2007 revealed that Scottish independence was increasingly appealing to younger Scots.<ref>{{cite web |title=Younger Scots and Welsh may become more likely to support Nationalist parties | date=[[2007-05-04]] | publisher= Economic & Social Research Council | url =http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-05/esr-ysa050307.php | accessdate = 2007-05-05}}</ref>
In a poll in 2007 commissioned by the Scotsman newspaper it said Scottish independence was at a 10 year low with only 21% of people in support for it. However, the poll also showed that Alex Salmond's personal [[Approval rating]] was high. Conversely, a 2008 opinion poll commissioned by the Sunday Herald newspaper, showed that support for independence was 1% higher than for the status quo <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.2192965.0.41_of_scots_back_the_breakup_of_the_union.php |title= 41% of Scots back the break-up of the union |publisher=Sunday Herald |date= [[2008-04-12]]|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> When polls give three options, including an option for greater [[devolution]] or a new [[Federalism|federal]] settlement, but stopping short of independence, support for independence significantly declines. In a poll by [[The Times]], published in April 2007, given a choice between independence, the status quo, or greater powers for the Scottish Parliament within the United Kingdom, the last option had majority support.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1680124.ece |title= How SNP could win and lose at the same time |publisher=The Times |date= [[2007-04-20]]|accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref> The issue of public support for a referendum on Scottish independence or greater devolution is much more clear cut. Polls show a consistent support for a referendum, including amongst those who support the continuation of the union. Most opinion polls place the figure of support for a referendum around 70–75%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independence1st.com/content/polls.shtml |title= Polls on support for independence and for a referendum on independence |publisher=Independence First |accessdate=2007-06-11}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{portalpar|Scotland|Royal Arms of Scotland.png}}
* [[English nationalism]]
* [[Irish nationalism]]
* [[United Ireland]]
* [[Welsh nationalism]]
* [[List of active autonomist and secessionist movements]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
== External links ==
{{wikinews}}
{{Wikisource}}
{{wikiquote}}
;Pro-independence Party websites
* [http://www.snp.org/ Scottish National Party]
* [http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/ Scottish Green Party]
* [http://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/ Scottish Socialist Party]
* [http://www.solidarityscotland.org/ Solidarity Scotland]
* [http://www.scottishenterpriseparty.org/ Scottish Enterprise Party]
;Unionist Party websites
* [http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/ Scottish Labour Party]
* [http://www.scottishconservatives.com/ Scottish Conservative Party]
* [http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/ Scottish Liberal Democrats]
;Other websites
* [http://www.scottishindependenceconvention.com/ Scottish Independence Convention]
* [http://www.independence1st.org/ Independence First Referendum Campaign]
* [http://www.scottishindependence.com/ Scottish Independence Guide]
{{Scotland topics}}
[[Category:History of Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish independence movement| ]]
[[Category:United Kingdom constitution]]
[[Category:Celtic nationalism]]
[[an:Nazionalismo escozés]]
[[cy:Cenedlaetholdeb Albanaidd]]
[[de:Unabhängigkeit Schottlands]]
[[es:Independentismo escocés]]
[[fr:Indépendantisme écossais]]
[[gd:Neo-eisimeileachd na h-Alba]]
[[gl:Nacionalismo escocés]]
[[sco:Scots unthirldom]]
[[sv:Skotsk självständighet]]