A recently published Scottish independence poll shows a significant shift in favor of independence, with 56% supporting a break from the United Kingdom after excluding undecided voters. The poll, conducted by Find Out Now and published in The National on April 14, gives “Yes” voters an 11-point lead over those opposing independence.
This surge in support comes nearly eleven years after Scotland’s first independence referendum, where 55.3% voted to remain in the UK. The persistent and growing support for Scottish independence demonstrates that the desire for self-government doesn’t simply fade away – it strengthens over time.
For those of us watching from Texas, the Scottish independence movement offers both parallels and lessons. Like Texans, Scots have a strong sense of national identity and a history of self-governance. The demographic breakdown of the Scottish poll is particularly interesting – showing 67% of 16-29 year-olds supporting independence, while only 33% of those 75 and older favor breaking from the UK.
This generational divide mirrors what we’ve seen in Texas. As I’ve often noted, it’s not grandpa who places the Lone Star over the Stars and Stripes, but his grandchildren. The future belongs to those who value self-determination and local governance.
The path to another Scottish referendum remains complex, particularly after a 2022 UK Supreme Court ruling that Scotland cannot unilaterally hold a vote without UK government consent. Sound familiar? This is the same argument that anti-Texit forces use – that we somehow need permission from Washington D.C. to determine our own future.
While the Scottish poll does appear to be something of an outlier compared to other recent surveys, it represents a persistent truth: the desire for self-government doesn’t disappear simply because a distant government says “no.” In fact, such obstruction often strengthens resolve.
For Texas, this serves as yet another example that independence movements don’t fade away. They grow stronger over time, especially when people realize that one-size-fits-all governance from distant capitals fails to serve their interests.
The Federal Government may continue to ignore our right to self-determination, just as the UK government has done to Scotland. But such resistance only delays the inevitable. As more Texans come to understand the benefits of independence, support will continue to grow – just as it has in Scotland.
Given that Scotland achieved 45% support for independence in their 2014 referendum, and now polling shows 56% support, I am confident that when Texans finally get their referendum on independence, the result will be decisive. After all, we’re starting from a position of significant support already, with recent polls regularly showing a majority of Republicans and strong support among independents and even many Democrats.
The question isn’t if Texas will vote for independence, but when we will finally get the chance to have our say. The people of Texas, not politicians in Washington, should decide our future.
