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Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s claims that Scotland would thrive independently have been shut down by Express.co.uk readers in a new poll. Ms Sturgeon said that an independent Scotland would be able to prosper once free from the UK’s economic ties.
On Monday, October 17, Ms Sturgeon unveiled the third in a series of papers outlining her Government’s plan to leave the UK and build a newly independent Scotland.
She explained at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh that she would transition towards a new currency and establish and trade border with the rest of the UK, with the intention of rejoining the European Union and Schengen zone.
Ms Sturgeon claimed independence was essential for creating a “fairer, stronger, more sustainable Scotland”, and said that the paper would “openly and frankly” address issues of currency, debt and trade.
She added it was “glaringly obvious now that the UK does not offer economic strength and stability or financial security”.
READ MORE: Sturgeon unveils five-point plan to drag Scots out of UK
In a poll that ran from 4:30pm on Monday, October 17, to 11:30am on Wednesday, October 19, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Do you think an Independent Scotland would thrive like Sturgeon believes?”
In total, 6,221 people cast their votes with the overwhelming result, gaining 95 percent (5,885 people) being “no”, Scotland would not thrive.
A further five percent (310 people) said “yes” in agreement with Ms Sturgeon and just 26 people said they did not know.
Hundreds of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers shared their thoughts on Scottish independence.
While username Bumpy Grollix said: “Absolutely not! It will be weighed down by its share of our national debt, it won’t have a usable currency, it’ll lose all the UK subsidies it gets now.”
Another, username wilfred01, said: “Under her and her SNP Government, no chance. The decline both culturally, socially and economically under them is obvious.
“Without the constant handouts from the English taxpayer as well as the Barnett Formula, Scotland would just not operate.”
And username JohnJBrown said: “They will be OK as an ‘independent’ state of the EU if they can get a decent handout from them. In any other case, likely not.”
Earlier this week Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the House of Commons: “If Scotland wants economic stability, we are stronger together.”
Ms Sturgeon hopes to hold an independence referendum in a year’s time, on October 19, 2023. The referendum would be the second on the matter in less than a decade after Scots voted in 2014, with 55 percent to 45 percent in favour of remaining.
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