UK Edition
Scots oppose Nicola Sturgeon plan for Scotland to stay in single market and separate immigration rules
Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for Scotland to stay in the single market and a more liberal immigration regime than England are opposed by most Scots, according to a major Brexit survey showing waning support for independence.
Professor Sir John Curtice, the UK’s most eminent psephologist, found nearly two-third of Scots (63 per cent) think the entire UK should have the same immigration regime after it leaves the EU next year.
More than half of Yes voters from the 2014 independence referendum did not want a separate Scottish system and only 24 per cent of all Scots backed Ms Sturgeon’s call for a less strict system than south of the Border.
Sir John discovered a five-point drop in support for separation (44 per cent) since a similar survey was conducted at the start of last year despite an accompanying drop in the number of people who think the Scottish economy would suffer.
Although 62 per cent of Scots voted Remain in the EU referendum, he concluded that Ms Sturgeon had made “little headway” over the past year and there was no “major rift” with the English about what they want from Brexit.
Instead, Scottish and British views have converged and are extremely similar on a wide variety of issues, including ending freedom of movement, with the English becoming markedly more pessimistic about the outcome of the talks with Brussels.
Mike Russell, the SNP’s Brexit Minister, welcomed the survey’s findings that a majority supports the Scottish Government’s calls for the devolution of all farming (59 per cent) and fishing (62 per cent) powers repatriated from Brussels.
But the overwhelming support for UK-wide immigration and trade policies were a major embarrassment for the SNP after Ian Blackford, its Westminster leader, hosted a “summit” at Westminster on retaining membership of the single market.
Jackson Carlaw, the Scottish Tories’ deputy leader, said: “This welcome research exposes just how utterly out of touch the SNP has become.”
He added: “Nicola Sturgeon has tried relentlessly to use Brexit to break up the UK. It’s clear, however, that people have seen through her politicking and entirely reject her plans.”
The report for the National Centre for Social Research, which was conducted between between September 28 and October 29, found 67 per cent of Scots supported UK-rules for international trade.
In a clear rebuttal of Ms Sturgeon’s proposal for Scotland alone to stay in the single market, more than half of Remain voters wanted the same immigration and trade rules as the rest of the UK after Brexit.
Sir John noted there was a “striking” similarity in cross-Border views, with 59 per cent of Scots wanting an end to freedom of movement compared to 64 per cent of people across Britain.
Both the Scots and the English are becoming increasingly critical of both sides in the negotiations and pessimistic about the outcome.
One of the few major differences was that Scotland remained more likely to prioritise free trade with the EU over ending free movement if presented with a direct choice.
Sir John, senior research fellow at ScotCen, said: "Our results suggest that both the UK and the Scottish Government may need to do some rethinking of their plans for post-Brexit Scotland.”
A defiant Mr Russell said: “The Scottish Government believes that continued membership of the EU is the best option for Scotland and the rest of the UK.
“However, if the UK Government is intent on Brexit, it must minimise the damage to our society and economy. The best way to do that is by staying in the European single market.”