Glasgow says 'No' to independent Scotland

Jul 10 2012

Johann Lamont, Alistair Darling, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie at the launch of pro-union campaign Better Together

ONLY a quarter of Glaswegians want an independent Scotland, a poll has revealed.

The street poll conducted by the Glaswegian in the city’s Buchanan Street found 24 per cent of people in favour of going it alone.

Thirty-eight per cent favoured  remaining in the UK.

The numbers echo the recent TNS-BMRB nationwide survey which showed support for independence had dwindled following the launch of campaigns on both sides.

That poll concluded just 30 per cent would vote against the Union, with 50 per cent in favour of Scotland  staying in.

One of the 100 Glaswegians we polled, finance worker Kelly Meikle, 38, said: ”I used to think it (independence) would be worth it but I think if we were left on our own, we would be stranded. Years ago, we were more financially sorted.”

Elaine Fee, the managing director of The PR Company, disagreed, saying: “It is time that Scotland was allowed to control its own destiny. We are a nation of talent and passion so why not give it a go?

“We have got to be better at it than the years of mismanagement by Westminster.”

Nationalist city MSP Humza Yousaf admitted the Yes campaign were “the underdogs” and were well aware of the size of the task ahead.

The Glaswegian columnist said polls would fluctuate between now and the 2014 referendum and the balance of power would lie with those who are still currently undecided-in our poll 38 per cent.

Yousaf said: “Those who are for or against it won’t shift but those don’t knows hold the key. Whoever can articulate a vision of Scotland that people can identify with will get them on board.”

Maryhill MSP and Labour constitutional spokeswoman Patricia Ferguson said: “This poll proves Glaswegians remain to be convinced by Alex Salmond’s case for separating off for the rest of the UK and there is a strong feeling that we are better off together.”

In our poll more than half, 58 per cent, of  Glaswegians said they were bored of the debate already, with more than two years still to go before the referendum.

Yousaf said that for people to be apathetic was “disappointing but understandable”.

He said: “This should act as a wake up call for politicians to move away from process and legality and all that kind of mince and get on to the detail as to what our collective visions are.”

Ferguson said: “I also have sympathy with the many people who admit they are bored with debate. At a time when people are worried about jobs and the cost of living, the SNP’s obsession with the constitution seems like a distraction and many people just want him to get on with the referendum rather than let it drag on for another two years.”

Glasgow Kelvin MSP Sandra White said " I congratulate the Glaswegian for taking this very important issue directly to local people.

"The results are certainly interesting with 24 per cent supporting Independence and the no and undecided running equally at 38 per cent. It shows that we have some work to do however with proper debate and information we can convince the public that Independence is the way forward for Scotland . "

In our poll, conducted last Thursday on Buchanan Street, we interviewed 118 people on how they plan to vote in the Independence Referendum. 

Of those interviewed 18 said they either didn't vote or don't care about the referendum.

Of the 100 people remaining:

24 per cent said they would vote Yes.

38 per cent said they would vote No

38 Per cent said they were uncertain.

 

 

We also asked a supplemental question of all 118, "are you bored with the debate already?"

58.4 per cent said they were bored.

26.3 per cent said they were not bored.

15.3 per cent said they didn't know.