Most Scots believe they are more secure and have more influence as part of the UK, and want to retain the nuclear deterrent, a new poll has found.
The Survation survey also reveals overwhelming support for the UK’s membership of key international organisations, including Nato.
Nearly half (47 per cent) of respondents said the people of Scotland are more secure as part of the UK, with only a third (35 per cent) believing this would be the case if Britain was broken up.
When asked about Trident, the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, 56 per cent said it should be retained – in comparison to just 22 per cent who said the opposite.
And when asked about membership of global alliances, something that would be in question should Scotland break away from the rest the UK, there was decisive approval.
Four-in-five (80 per cent) said Nato membership is important, more than three-quarters (76 per cent) back UN Security Council membership, and 74 per cent value being part of the G7.
The polling of more than 1,000 Scots was carried out by Survation and commissioned by Scotland in Union, the largest pro-UK campaigning organisation.
The findings come after SNP leader John Swinney recently re-stated the SNP’s anti-nuclear stance, dismissing an intervention from former Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said:
“Current global tensions and uncertainties reinforce how important the UK’s strength and influence is for people in Scotland.
“As part of the UK, we have a seat at the top table, and international influence which a separate Scotland would lack. This poll shows that most Scots value the benefit of being part of the UK.
“Scots also support retaining the UK’s nuclear deterrent, something that should give the out-of-touch nationalists of the SNP and the Scottish Greens urgent pause for thought.
“This is another detailed study which shows Scots understand the advantages of remaining together in the UK.
“It’s time the SNP listened to the majority of Scots and stopped its damaging campaign to break up the UK.”
Poll conducted by Survation on behalf of Scotland in Union. Methodology: online interviews of Scots aged 16+, fieldwork March 6-13, sample size 1,012.
Poll summary here.
Poll tables here.