ALEX SALMOND: Scotland would become independent of Britain within 2 years of a Brexit
Reuters
Salmond, who was Scotland's leader between 2007-2014, said in a televised debate that if Scotland was "dragged" out of the EU by voters, then Scots will want to sever the 309-year-old tie with Britain.
"[The second Scottish independence referendum] would have to be within the two-year period of the UK negotiating to withdraw [from the EU]," said Salmond.
"If you had the situation where Scotland, in four weeks' time, votes Remain and the rest of the UK or England drags Scotland out by voting to leave, then that would justify, in my opinion, another referendum.
"In the circumstances of Scotland being threatened with being dragged out of the EU against our will, I think the result would be 'Yes' this time."
Scots voted for their country to stay part of the UK on September 19, 2014 - but the vote was tight. Pro-unionists won by a much closer vote than expected - just over 55% voted "No" when asked "Scotland should be an independent country?" while 44% opted to leave.
A poll published earlier this month showed that Britons are more worried about the prospect of Scotland gaining independence than of the UK leaving the EU.
A BMG poll for Scotland's Herald newspaper, which canvassed 1,512 people across the UK between April 21 and 26, found that 68% of voters cited Scottish secession from the UK as their least preferred option when compared to Britain leaving the EU, which got 32% backing.
The latest poll numbers for the EU referendum this week show the race for a Brexit and those opting to remain in the union are neck-and-neck:
- YouGov online poll: Remain 41 / Leave 41
- ICM online poll: Remain 45 / Leave 45
Meanwhile, a Survation opinion poll conducted on behalf of financial trading group IG shows that 54% of respondents plan to vote for Britain to stay in the EU, compared to 46% who said they'll back a Brexit, excluding undecided voters.
This week, G7 leaders warned a Brexit would be a serious risk to global economic growth.
"A UK exit from the EU would reverse the trend towards greater global trade and investment, and the jobs they create, and is a further serious risk to growth," said G7 leaders said, in the only reference to the vote in a 32-page declaration.
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- A centenarian who starts her day with gentle exercise and loves walks shares 5 longevity tips, including staying single
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school
- India's e-commerce market set to skyrocket as the country's digital economy surges to USD 1 Trillion by 2030
- Top 5 places to visit near Rishikesh
- Indian economy remains in bright spot: Ministry of Finance
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market