‘We don’t care’: Scottish voters dismiss EU as ‘political gravy train’

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A new survey found that most people were more concerned about immigration and the NHS than Brexit

The private survey showed almost half of the electorate thought the EU was a waste of money, with most people

more concerned about immigration and the state of the NHS rather than the nation’s place in the organisation.

It pours cold water on the SNP claims that Scotland is being dragged out of Europe against its will.

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Former Business for Britain in Scotland spokesman Mev Brown commissioned the research by polling company BMG to find out if First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s stance was backed up by ordinary Scots.

The results proved that every age and socio-economic group, regardless of their gender or political tendencies, felt the EU was irrelevant to their lives.

Of the 1,010 Scots quizzed, 45 per cent agreed the political and economic union of 28 member states was a “political gravy train” with just 10 per cent disagreeing.

The remaining 45 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.

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This goes against SNP claims that Scotland is being dragged out of Europe against its will

However, if the uncertain category is excluded, the figure for those fed up with the EU jumps to 82 per cent.

Under the SNP things have only been changing for the worse

Former Business for Britain in Scotland spokesman Mev Brown

Mr Brown said: “I commissioned the private polling to better understand the views of the Scottish electorate following the Brexit result.

“From my experience, four of the top five issues for most Scottish voters are the NHS, law and order, education and immigration. For most Scots, the EU isn’t even a top five issue.

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Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in pictures.

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Nicola Sturgeon visits Glaxo Smith Kline.

“Clearly Nicola Sturgeon is making a big song and dance about the issue of Scotland ‘being wrenched out of the EU against its will’ and is simply using it as an excuse to trigger an unwanted independence referendum.

“The poll clearly explains why

support for a second independence referendum is flat-lining. It speaks volumes.

“The polling data shows that 82 per cent of Scots voters who expressed an opinion dismiss the EU as a political gravy train.”

He said analysis of the survey showed the opinion was shared “across the board”.

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The top five issues for most Scottish voters were the NHS, law and order, education and immigration

Of the voters who backed Scottish independence in 2014, only 16 per cent did not agree with the EU gravy train sentiment while 36 per cent of Remainers agreed with the statement.

Mr Brown added: “Given the reality in Scotland, it is fairly obvious why Nicola Sturgeon is so keen to draw public attention away from what is important to the public, and focus attention on what is important to Nicola Sturgeon – Brexit and the next independence referendum.

“The SNP were elected on a platform of change in 2007. The fact is, however, under the SNP things have only been changing for the worse.”

The First Minister has threatened to call a second independence referendum unless the UK Government accepts her blueprint for Scotland to remain in the European single market with the rest of the UK out.

However, opposition parties have been quick to remind the SNP leader that officials figures show the UK market is more lucrative to the nation than the EU, saying she should rule out a second vote without delay.

Ross Thomson, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Region, said: “These results should send a clear message to the SNP that the views of Scots on the EU are not so different from those elsewhere in the UK. The idea that all voters north of the border are in thrall to Europe is absurd.

“The SNP have tried to airbrush the one million Leave voters – including hundreds of thousands of Yes supporters – from history as they use the Brexit result to push for separation.

“This poll also strongly suggests that the SNP should be focusing on the day job – dealing with our struggling NHS, underperforming education system and sluggish economy.”

Scottish Labour said that, while it did not agree with the UK leaving Europe, the situation would be made worse by Scotland leaving the UK.

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Every age and socio-economic group felt the EU was irrelevant to their lives

A spokesmen added: “That’s why Labour will not support any SNP plan to impose another independence referendum on the people of Scotland. Nicola Sturgeon should just rule out another independence referendum altogether.”

But an SNP spokesman dismissed the poll and said: “The Tory threat of a hard Brexit means the UK economy is in danger of hitting the buffers.

“Meanwhile, it’s clear that Mr Brown’s arguments have run out of steam.

“Every constituency in Scotland voted to remain part of the EU, sending a clear signal voters believe our future is in Europe.

“The SNP will fight to ensure their voice is heard.”

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