ANALYSIS | Is the Fight for Scottish Independence Still Ongoing?

Photo Credit: David Cannon/Getty

Scotland and England share a complex and tumultuous history. In post-Brexit years, support for Scottish independence has spiked, according to statistics provided by Statista. However, recent reports show that support of the Scottish National Party, the greatest supporter of Scottish independence, is decreasing.

Native Scottish tribes defended the region from Roman and Viking invaders throughout the first millennium. In the 9th century, Scottish leader Kenneth MacAlpin united various tribes into one Scottish kingdom, various iterations of which fought for self-determination throughout the medieval period. 

The United Kingdom was formed in 1707, incorporating Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales. In the 19th century, Scotland began a campaign for governmental autonomy and home rule. The modern independence movement characterizes itself as moving towards the future, leaving behind an England that is stuck in the past. It is presented as the liberal alternative to England’s conservative-ruled government.

Over the years, Scotland has been granted two referendums regarding whether Scotland should stay in the United Kingdom. Each time, the majority of Scottish voters chose to remain a part of the United Kingdom. The most recent referendum in 2014 failed to pass with 55 per cent against.

These referendums were conducted before Brexit occurred in 2016. 62 per cent of the Scotland population voted to remain in the European Union, but they were still outvoted by the rest of the UK due to their low population — the city of London alone has a higher population than all of Scotland. One reason why many Scots opposed Brexit was the economic consequences of leaving the EU; in 2019, the Scottish government reported almost a 25 per cent increase in food prices, collapsing trade with EU countries, and a mass loss in their fishing industry.

After being forcefully removed from the EU, Scotland demanded another referendum, which England continuously refused to grant. Scotland’s own government is prevented from conducting its own referendum due to a 1998 act which disallows Scotland from making any decisions related to the United Kingdom and their place within it.

This referendum is the main goal of the current Scottish government, run by the SNP. The SNP has been in power for almost a decade, but recent statistics have shown lowering support, with the Labour party slowly closing the gap. The Labour party now has 33 per cent of Scotland’s support, while the SNP has 31 per cent. 

Recent statistics from Statista report that 47 per cent of Scots still believe they should be independent, showing that there is not an exact correlation between SNP supporters and Scottish independence supporters, though they do overlap. Rather, it reveals that the country’s change in attitude stems from the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister, who let go of her position in March of last year. Her replacement, First Minister Huzma Yousaf, has 17 per cent less approval than Sturgeon did during her time in office.

Despite the constant fluctuation in public opinion for Scottish independence, much of the support for independence comes from Scotland’s youth. As they come of age, their potentially pro-independence voting block will grow in influence.