![Sample our Geography journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5937/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Geography.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Scottish independence is a matter for debate, not only in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, but also in the Scottish diaspora. Their views have rarely been sought, yet they will have a view on the constitutional future of their homeland. This paper draws on research on attitudes to independence within the diaspora, and concludes that individuals in North America generally favour independence more than those in England. But attitudes are changing, partly because of Brexit, and partly related to the UK Conservative government, which is seen as not reflecting Scottish views and values. Independence is now considered more positively.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to those who have funded our research over several years. These include the Scottish Government, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, and the University of the West of Scotland. We are also indebted to those members of the diaspora who gave their time to respond to our questionnaires and to allow us to interview them, sometimes at great length.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethics statement
The research reported here has been subject to ethical approval by the appropriate committees of the University of the West of Scotland.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Murray Stewart Leith
Murray Stewart Leith is a professor of politics at the University of the West of Scotland. He has written extensively on aspects of politics, devolution and identity.
Duncan Sim
Duncan Sim is an honorary senior research fellow (and formerly Reader in Sociology) at the University of the West of Scotland. His research interests lie in issues of ethnicity and identity, particularly in relation to migrants and diasporas.