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Majority of Scots favor independence: Poll

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A new poll shows that support for Scottish independence has risen by eight percentage points above support for union with the UK, just five days before a referendum vote.

The survey, conducted by Britain-based ICM research foundation and released on Sunday, showed that the pro-independence campaign enjoyed 54-percent support compared to the 46 percent for anti-independence campaign.

This is while another study by the Center on Dynamics of Ethnicity, based at Glasgow University, has found that 94 percent of the ethnic minorities born in Scotland identify themselves as Scottish rather than British.

The center concluded that the minorities’ tendency toward Scottish identity would give a boost to the independence campaign.

Many ethnic minority voters say Scotland’s more open immigration policy in contrast with the UK is a major factor in their decision making.

Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said on Saturday that the Scottish people will not be “bullied” by London or oil companies away from voting for independence.

Scotland will hold a national referendum on September 18 to determine the country’s future. The independence referendum could result in Scotland’s breakaway from the UK after more than 300 years of political union.

The Westminster has repeatedly warned against Scotland’s independence, saying it will jeopardize the UK’s stability and damage its international standing.

Scottish authorities, on the other hand, argue that independence from the UK would free Scotland from London’s austerity policies and unnecessary military spending.

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