Russians did not follow closely the Scottish referendum. Most of Russians support those who want Scottish independence.
MOSCOW, October 6, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information concerning the following issues: whether Russians are aware of the results of the Scotland Independence referendum; what party they support; and what they think are the reasons why one part of the Scottish population strives for independence.
Half of Russians are aware of the results of the Scottish referendum: 49% of Russians know that supporters of the Union won. Those who are most informed are residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (60%), Russians with high level of income (60%), and elderly respondents (54% of those aged over 60). Only 7% say that the referendum`s outcome gave an opportunity to Scotland to get separated from the UK. Forty-four percent of Russians remained undecided.
Explaining the reasons behind the Scotland`s desirable dissolution, one-fifth of Russians (20%) say that Scotland strives for independence. Six percent of Russians say that England infringes upon the economic interests of Scotland. Three percent of Russians believe that the Scottish people fight for their rights; 3% also say that Scots are not satisfied with the UK policies. Restoration of “historical justice” (2%) and preservation of ethnic identity (2%) are among other reasons why Scotland strives for independence. One percent of Russians say that holding referendums is now trendy.
One-third of respondents (34%) would support those who fight for independence; they are mainly residents of big cities (45%), Moscow and St. Petersburg (40%), Russians with income above average (40%). Twenty-one percent of Russians would support those Scots who would like to preserve the status-quo (Union of England and Scotland); most of them are adherents of the CPRF (34%) and non-parliament parties of Russia (36%). Forty-five percent of Russians failed to give an answer.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on September 27-28, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
The Scotland independence referendum was recently held in Scotland. Do you know the outcome of the referendum? (closed-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more |
Supporters of the Scotland`s independence won | 7 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
Supporters of the preservation of the Union of England and Scotland won | 49 | 36 | 43 | 52 | 55 | 54 |
Don`t know | 44 | 55 | 52 | 40 | 38 | 40 |
In your opinion, why part of Scottish population wanted a separation from the United Kingdom? (open-ended question, any number of answers) | |
| Total respondents |
They want to be independent | 20 |
Infringement upon their economic interests | 6 |
They do not like the British policies | 3 |
They fight for their rights | 3 |
They want higher living standards | 2 |
To restore the historical justice | 2 |
To preserve the ethnic identity | 2 |
It is trendy now | 1 |
Other | 2 |
Don`t know | 61 |
Who do you support: those who strive for independence or those who want to preserve the Union of England and Scotland? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Supporters of Scottish independence | 34 | 40 | 38 | 45 | 30 | 37 | 26 |
Supporters of the Union | 21 | 22 | 24 | 14 | 21 | 16 | 26 |
Don`t know | 45 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 49 | 47 | 4 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!