The Contentious Politics of Scottish Independence
| Author | Michael T. Heaney |
| Published date | 01 December 2020 |
| Date | 01 December 2020 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/2041905820978838 |
20 POLITICAL INSIGHT • DECEMBER 2020
As the United Kingdom gets a
better handle on the COVID-19
crisis, many familiar issues that
had been set aside are now
returning to the fore. Among the most
prominent is the demand to hold a second
referendum on Scottish independence, with
polls suggesting increasing numbers of
Scottish voters in favour of leaving the UK.
Far from settling the question, the 2014
referendum has made independence a
dividing line in Scottish politics – and Scottish
life. Since the 55-45 vote to stay in the UK,
massive pro-independence marches have
become a regular sight in Scottish cities
and towns. While these demonstrations
were postponed during the height of the
pandemic, they are now returning cautiously
to the streets.
Political marches provide a unique lens
The Contentious
Politics of Scottish
Independence
Scottish independence is back on the British political agend a. But
who are independence supporters and what draws them to the
cause? Michael T. Heaney reports on a recent survey of political
demonstrations across Scotland.
Aberdeen, 17 August 2019. Photo by author.
through which to view Scotland’s political
tumult. This article reports from surveys of
participants conducted at events in 2019 to
consider the reasons that people participate
in nationalist and Unionist demonstrations,
and examine the outlook for these rival
political causes.
Another independence referendum?
The pro-independence Scottish National
Party has held power in Scotland’s devolved
Parliament in Edinburgh since 2007. The
SNP has long committed to holding another
referendum on independence. Indeed, the
Scottish Parliament most recently called for a
second independence referendum in January
Political Insight December 2020 BU.indd 20Political Insight December 2020 BU.indd 20 10/11/2020 15:4610/11/2020 15:46
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