MOST English people want the UK to leave Europe while 66 per cent of Scots want to stay, a survey shows.
Research by Panelbase found 51 per cent of people in England support a British exit from the European Union, contrasting with the position in Scotland.
The Scottish Government supports remaining in the EU and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for the UK’s devolved administrations to be given a role at negotiations on EU reforms before David Cameron’s in-out referendum, due to be staged by 2017.
She has also called for a “double lock” to ensure no exit from the EU can take place without a majority in all four UK nations voting to do so. A decision to leave the EU against Scotland’s will could trigger another independence referendum, she has warned.
Yesterday, SNP Europe spokesperson Stephen Gethins MP said: “The EU referendum jeopardises our place in Europe – but now that it is going ahead, it is essential that Scotland’s voice is heard.
“Our common sense amendment for a double-majority safeguard will ensure Scotland cannot be ripped out of the EU against its will. This – along with votes for EU nationals and 16- and 17-year-olds – must be included in Westminster’s EU Referendum Bill. Failure to do so means the Bill clearly fails to meet the gold standard set by Scotland’s independence referendum.”
The poll results are based on surveys of 1,000 people in Scotland and 956 in England.
The results also suggest the SNP will increase its Holyrood majority to 73 of 129 seats in 2016, with the Greens up to five.
In contrast, Labour would fall to 27 seats, and the findings also put the Tories at 18 seats and the LibDems on six.
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