Voters in six EU countries other than Britain have given their thumbs up to an independent Scotland gaining membership of the European Union.
Voters in six EU countries (not including Britain) have given their thumbs up to an independent Scotland gaining membership of the European Union – but not as an automatic right, according to polling carried out by YouGov.
In addition to Great Britain, the survey focuses mainly on attitudes to the EU and the European Parliamentary elections in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.
Included in the poll, however, is the question ‘If Scotland does vote to become an independent country, do you think it should be allowed to join the European Union?’
The poll finds that across the countries surveyed, clear majorities favour EU membership for Scotland in such circumstances except for Britain as a whole, where just under 50 per cent of those polled believe it should be allowed to join the Union.
The findings in full show:
Q: If Scotland does vote to become an independent country, do you think it should be allowed to join the European Union?
| Britain | France | Germany | Denmark | Sweden | Finland | Norway | |
| Yes | 48% | 61% | 70% | 77% | 68% | 65% | 55% |
| No | 26% | 16% | 9% | 6% | 5% | 8% | 12% |
| Don’t Know | 27% | 24% | 21% | 17% | 27% | 27% | 33% |
The results are likely to prove a boost to the Yes Scotland campaign, which has faced continued pressure over its policy on the status of an independent Scotland within the European Union.
The Scottish government’s White Paper on independence has said that Scotland would simply continue as a member of the European Union, with Alex Salmond having argued that it would be absurd if it had to re-apply for membership if it opted to break away from the rest of the UK.
In February, however, the now outgoing President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso told the Andrew Marr programme that it would be “extremely difficult, if not impossible” for Scotland to join the EU under such circumstances.
Whilst the headline figures may prove good news for Salmond, his cheers will be be dented by the news that the YouGov poll shows that across all seven counties polled, opinion is largely supportive of the idea that Scotland should re-apply for EU membership rather than continue as now.
Q: When do you think Scotland should be allowed to join the European Union?
| Britain | France | Germany | Denmark | Sweden | Finland | Norway | |
| Automatic Membership | 34% | 47% | 42% | 47% | 40% | 40% | 35% |
| Re-Apply | 62% | 48% | 55% | 50% | 57% | 57% | 60% |
| Don’t Know | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
11 Responses to “EU voters – Independent Scotland should join EU, but not automatically”
Pat Lee
Does left foot forward believe. It is in Europe’s interest for It major oil producer to remain oitside Europe for a day in the event of Yes vote.?
Pat Lee
The indie genie came out of the bottle in 1997. When the Scottish peoples took the brave decision to aquire devolved power.
Since that time two significant issues came to light. Scotland being a left of centre psyche, watched the Labour party implode due to the corruption within and the control outwith it’s Scottish branch.
And the emergence of the SNP AS THE TRUE LEFT OF CENTRE PARTY. Adopting and implementing a socially just agenda greater than even The Labour party were prepared to go.
These are the reasons, we will have a Yes vote on 18th September 2014.
uglyfatbloke
Absolutely right. One question that is ignored by both sides is how long would it take for the EU to organise a mechanism for excluding Scotland before it could apply to join. Common sense and practicality would suggest that there would be a period of ‘no change’ so that businesses , EU nationals in Scotland and Scottish nationals in EU countries could arrange their affairs.
simhedges
Actually, it was the British people in 1997. The whole of the UK voted for a Labour and Lib Dem policy for devolution, endorsed by the Scots and Welsh in local referenda.
simhedges
If Scotland joins the EU as an Independent country, it would qualify for more MEPs (probably 13 in all, like Slovakie which also has just over 5 million residents) than it has currently (5). However, as the total number of MEPs is capped at 751, this means that the UK will lose 5 MEPs of course, but other EU countries will need to give up 8 MEPs to make room.