YOU might think this is a no brainer, but the best way to find out people’s opinions about matters is to ask them.
That’s why the Yes DIY Hub was delighted to hear from two different Yes groups in different parts of the country about the views they found out on the streets.
Over three Saturday mornings in October and November, Yes Marchmont and Morningside in Edinburgh obtained the views of 510 people in a survey about just how people there view Scotland’s future in or out of the Union.
Yes Marchmont and Morningside told us: “The headline results were unsurprising for this area: 64% think Scotland should remain in the Union, while 88% think Scotland is better off in the EU (unsures excluded).
“However, among the 23% who agree (but do not strongly agree) that Scotland should stay in the Union, only 20% are convinced Scotland’s interests are well served by Westminster, while only 41% think Scotland would not thrive as an independent country.
“Among the 14% who are unsure whether Scotland should stay in the Union, these numbers drop to 3% and 9%, respectively. There was little support for Brexit. However, what little support there was tended to be stronger among strong supporters of the Union.”
The group’s Paddy Farrington said: “While a substantial proportion of people who agree but not strongly that Scotland should remain part of the UK, or are unsure about it, remain to be convinced that an independent Scotland would thrive, it is clear that this is not the only consideration holding them back.
“Thus, while economic arguments remain important, they are not sufficient: a substantial proportion of pro-Union responders already think that an independent Scotland would thrive. Arguably, we need to focus much more on the positive opportunities presented by independence, and reframe the argument in those terms.”
Meanwhile the roadshow in Kelso of English Scots for Yes was told that Brexit is bad for Scotland.
Regional Organiser John Schofield said: “We had a variety of views from the Scottish, English and Welsh locals and tourists who visited the stall, but the strong message, even from a Conservative area, was that Brexit will not be good for Scotland.
“Decisions about Scotland should be made in Scotland and an independent Scotland inside the EU is safer option than staying with the UK. This shows that the reality that a no-deal Brexit will be catastrophic for Borders businesses is well understood in Kelso.”
English Scots for Yes member Peter Jeal commented: “We support the Scottish Government’s call for Scotland, and indeed the UK, to remain in the single market, as a minimum as promised by prominent Leave members.”
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