Euroscepticism ‘damaging’ for Scotland

British authorities’ politics of Euroscepticism are “deeply damaging”  for Scotland, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

Speaking to BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday, Salmond said the “politics of Euroscepticism that we see in Westminster are deeply damaging for Scotland, and could be even more damaging if we are dragged out of Europe.”

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader urged authorities to get on with building a constructive relationship with other countries across the European continent, saying Scottish people don’t want their country to leave the 28-member bloc.

“The debate in Scotland is that we should not place ourselves in the position, given that we are only 8 percent of the UK population, of potentially being dragged out of the European Union against our wishes, against our will,” he added.

The Scottish government wants Scotland to remain part of the EU in the event of a yes vote. Opponents of Scottish independence, however, have repeatedly said Scotland would need to reapply for the EU membership if the country votes for independence in the next month’s referendum.

A new poll for the Scottish Daily Mail newspaper published on Friday showed that support for Scottish independence is gaining momentum among voters. The opinion poll shows support for independence has grown by four percent, rising to 47 percent from 43 percent since a similar Survation poll was released earlier this month.

Scotland’s constitutional future will be decided on September 18 in a vote brought about by the Scottish National Party-led government in Edinburgh. The independence referendum could result in Scotland’s breakaway from the UK after more than 300 years of political union.

MOS/HSN