Earlier this week, former Labour MP George Galloway sparked fury among the SNP when he called for the 750,000 Scots living outside of Scotland and elsewhere in the UK to have their say in a second referendum. He said “separatism must be answered by all Scots”, comments which were even pondered by Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove. Mr Galloway told his 357,000 Twitter followers on Tuesday: “I’ll tell you this: IF there’s to be a second IndyRef, then 795,000 Scots living elsewhere in the UK MUST have a vote.
“If UK expats can vote in General Elections from Spain then an existential question like Separatism MUST be answered by all Scots,” which were welcomed by a flurry of his supporters.
Mr Gove described Mr Galloway’s demand for change as an “interesting question”.
The Express.co.uk poll, which ran from 8.30am until 9pm on Friday August 21, asked: “Should Scottish people living elsewhere in UK get vote in independence referendum?”
A huge 74 percent of those who voted (8,148 readers) said Scottish people living elsewhere in the UK should be able to vote in an independence referendum.
Scottish people living elsewhere in UK should get vote in an independence referendum – poll (Image: PA)
George Galloway suggested 795,000 Scots living elsewhere in the UK should have a vote (Image: @georgegalloway / Twitter)
The remaining 26 percent (2,736 readers) disagreed, while less than one percent (87 readers) were undecided.
One Express.co.uk reader said: “The break up of the United Kingdom is a serious matter for everyone in the UK.
“The Scots Nats promised that there would be no further indyref for a generation.
“When it does come, it MUST be a vote for the entire electorate of the entire UK.
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Nearly three-quarters of Express.co.uk readers who voted backed the suggestion from George Galloway (Image: EXPRESS)
“If you think that Brexit has been long & drawn out after 40 years in the EU, then just imagine how difficult breaking up the UK after 300 hundred years could be.”
A second reader commented: “Of course they should! An absolute no brainer!
“If i when serving as a soldier could vote when overseas by proxy, then surely they can vote from within the UK.
“Is Sturgeon that scared of them, or doesn’t her wild extravagant promises reach outside Scotland?”
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Nicola Sturgeon is continuing her campaign for Scottish independence (Image: GETTY)
Scotland’s First Minister wants a second referendum on independence (Image: GETTY)
But several others warned there shouldn’t be Scottish independence referendum for many more decades and if Scotland does split from the UK, might quickly lose some of the benefits it currently receives by joining the European Union.
One reader wrote: “Give the whole of the UK a vote, but Scotland should be careful because Sturgeon might just get what she wants.
“If Sturgeon then joins the EU, they will automatically lose those fishing rights again as the Scottish contribution to the EU.
“Scotland would almost certainly need to be a net payer so they will get less out than they pay in.
“The biggest customer for Scotland is the British with 60 percent of their trade and will be affected by our outcome with the EU.”
Scottish independence continues to split the public (Image: EXPRESS)
The suggestion from Mr Galloway that 795,000 Scots living outside of Scotland and elsewhere in the UK should be able to vote in a second independence referendum quickly sparked fury in Ms Sturgeon’s ruling party.
SNP MP Angus Roberston described Mr Galloway’s idea as “desperate”, and wrote on Twitter: “With polls now showing a consistent majority in favour of Scottish independence its opponents in Westminster consider changing the electorate an ‘interesting question’.
“Looks desperate, and undemocratic. #indyref2 #Scotland.”
This week Scotland’s First Minister Ms Sturgeon was quick to celebrate a poll, which found Scottish independence support has reached its highest levels ever recorded.
In her bid to break up the UK, she said “the momentum is very clearly with us” after Panelbase found the results of the 2014 independence referendum – when 55 percent of Scots voted to stay in the UK – were reversed.
Michael Gove described George Galloway’s demand for change as an ‘interesting question’ (Image: GETTY)
She posted: “Two polls on Scottish independence out today. This one very encouraging.”
“And this one – slightly more up to date – is even more encouraging.
“Lots of work to do, fellow Yes supporters, to persuade even more people – but the momentum is very clearly with us.”
Overall, 51 percent of those questioned said they support independence, 42 percent said they would vote to stay in the UK and 7 percent of voters were undecided.
When undecided voters were excluded, 55 percent favoured Scotland leaving the UK, with 45 percent preferring to stay in the Union.
