Half of referendum voters affected by Ukip's rise

By SCOTT MILNE (OR)

 

Almost 50% of people taking part in a Newsroom poll have said that the success of Ukip in the European elections has affected how they would vote in the upcoming Scottish referendum.

 

The results were almost split in half when asked ‘Does Ukip’s success in the European election, and rising popularity in England, influence your opinion on the upcoming Scottish referendum?’, with 45% saying Yes.

 

Ukip have caused a stir in British politics after winning more seats than any other party in the European elections last week, despite criticism of having racist policies and members. The party have increased their share of votes to 41%, compared to 22% in the last election.

 

It has been seen as a huge blow to the Liberal Democrats in particular, who fell to 5th place with only one MEP and are now facing a leadership crisis with internal calls for Nick Clegg to step down.

 

Ukip have never been popular in Scotland, party leader Nigel Farage was chased out of Edinburgh by students last year, so there was shock when they earned one seat in Scotland. But their anti-immigration stance has proved decisive and their success concerns some who favour left-of-centre politics.

 

Ukip are expected to have their most successful General Election yet next year, and one of the Yes campaign’s biggest rally for independence is that Scotland has little or no effect on what party gets elected into government in Westminster because of the disportionate population.

 

On September 18 Scottish people will be asked the yes/no question ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’

The poll also found that more than half, 60%, did not vote in the European elections. This figure is similar to the official findings, with a turnout of only 34%, the lowest since 1999.