Foreign diplomats see surge in Scots’ yes vote

Scotland is likely to vote for independence from the UK as support grows for a yes vote in September’s referendum, diplomatic sources say.

Sources in the diplomatic corps in Edinburgh, home to nearly 50 consulates and diplomatic missions, told the Guardian that they believe that the tide of opinion has shifted significantly in recent months, which means Scottish people could vote for independence in September’s referendum.

The diplomats also said London’s hostility on the issues of currency, immigration and the European Union (EU) membership is creating a backlash among Scottish voters.

“The UK government’s policies are pushing Scotland away,” a European consul said.

Another senior diplomat also told the paper that he had believed last year that a yes vote was “unlikely” but now he thinks “it’s likely, but not certain” that Scotland would vote yes in the upcoming referendum.

The development comes as two opinion polls on Thursday showed the pro-independence yes campaign is narrowing its gap with its rival no campaign.

A Survation survey for the Daily Record and Dundee University showed yesterday that some 44 percent of Scots were in favour of breaking away from the UK, compared with 56 percent who voted to remain in union with Britain.

Another survey, commissioned by the polling company Panelbase for Yes Scotland campaign, also found that about 47 percent of Scottish people intend to vote yes while 53 percent plan a no vote in the referendum.

The yes campaign said the figures stood at 38 percent against 62 percent respectively back in November.

The independence referendum, due to be held on September 18, could result in Scotland’s break-up from the UK after more than 300 years of political union.