Most Europeans would support independent Scotland joining EU, poll finds
Support across these nations for Scotland to join the EU ranged from just under two-thirds (63%) to three-quarters (75%).
But across Great Britain – where more than 2,000 people were polled – less than half (46%) said they would back an independent Scotland being part of the EU, with 32% saying they would oppose this.
The research was carried out despite Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer having made clear he has no plans to allow a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK.
Just last month the Labour leader said having another ballot on the issue is not a 'priority' and he cannot imagine one taking place while he is in Downing Street.
And while the UK Government recently announced a new agreement with the EU, there is no prospect of the UK seeking to rejoin the trading block as things stand.
YouGov's research comes almost a decade on from the 2016 Brexit referendum, which saw the UK as a whole vote to leave the EU, while Scotland voted to remain.
The latest poll found 63% of French people surveyed would support an independent Scotland joining the EU, with only 13% opposed.
In Italy, 64% favour Scotland being allowed to join, with 11% against, broadly similar to Spain – where 65% said they would support an independent Scotland in the EU while 13% are opposed to this.
In Germany, support was higher at 68%, with only 10% of people polled against an independent Scotland being part of the EU, while in Denmark three-quarters (75%) of people back Scotland being part of the trading block, with 6% against this.
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Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'My child won't be able to go to school if they take away her vital EHCP'
Parents and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) met with MPs today to share their views of how cuts to EHCPs could hugely disrupt their schooling Fifty MPs from across parties received an enlightening education in parliament today (Tuesday) from an impressive group of children and young people about life in a SEND family. Amid fears of cuts to education, health and welfare plans (EHCPs) in the upcoming government white paper due in the autumn, politicians were invited to hear first-hand from children what life with special educational needs and disabilities is really like. Katie Nellist, 18, of Oxfordshire, who has autism, told The Mirror: 'I want MPs to see us as humans, they see us as paperwork, not humans. But we are real people and we deserve to be educated and live good lives. The education system is so rigid that you can't succeed unless you are the definition of 'normal.'' She told Labour MP Annaliese Dodds: 'EHCPs are our only hope and I can't see what would replace them.' After speaking to Katie and her dad, Pete, Ms Dodds told The Mirror: 'The system is completely broken and needs reform – it's brilliant we've got young people like Katie sharing their voice. 'It was really helpful to hear directly from families about the challenges and what needs to change.' Katie - who has PTSD as a result of difficulties in her own education - was joined at the unique event in Portcullis House by Hope Foley, five, who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus; Matthew Harding, 10, who is autistic; Audrey Baynton-Williams, 11, who has Down's syndrome, and 16-year-old young carer Rosie Harris, who has two disabled brothers and wants to become a lawyer, to give SEND families a voice. Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson also spoke to Katie. She said: 'We are having debates in parliament on SEN most weeks – we are hearing story after story. 'What we are hearing is that there is a complete lack of trust in the system, which is so broken that children and young people with SEN feel like they are having to fight every step of the way.' Conservative MP Rebecca Paul spoke to Matthew Harding and his father Ben. She said: 'It was helpful to understand some of the challenges for families and see the real world impact.'' Lib Dem MP Zoe Franklin was visibly moved by her conversation with Audrey. She said: 'I came here today to speak to people who have lived experience – like Audrey. It's clear how much Audrey wants to learn, how much she has enjoyed being in mainstream education. Audrey is thriving – but she's done so because she has had the right support. The difference an EHCP has is enormous.' Labour MP Ben Coleman spoke to Hope and her mum Holly. He said: 'I'm here today because it's good to connect with the families and children. 'What is becoming clear is that the system we have isn't working, EHCPs are a nightmare for parents to navigate and fight for, but are often the only thing that parents feel will get them the support they need.' Parents, children and young people were delighted to have spoken to politicians face to face. Holly Kay, Hope's mum said: 'There has been a really good turnout, we've spoken to so many MPs today. 'I can't believe we were speaking to Labour MP Catherine McKinnell – she seemed really interested in Hope. She asked her how school was and was playing with Hope.`' Rosie Harris said: 'Lots of MPs were receptive and were listening to what I had to say. It's been helpful to share my experiences." The event was organised by the Disabled Children's Partnership (DCP) and Let Us Learn Too - a campaign by parents and carers of disabled children - to give MPs the chance to meet young people with SEND and their families, to hear their concerns. Anna Bird, chair of the DCP, said: 'MPs told us this was the most engaging session they'd had all year. It was brilliant to hear children and young people tell them their concerns over their schools, education and SEND reform, and for MPs and ministers to really listen.' Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle spoke to Hayley Harding, Matthew Harding's mum and organiser of Let Us Learn Too. She said: 'He clearly cared about the children's needs and why the right support is so vital for them. 'Getting people in front of the children who will live the effects of decisions being made is so important, as it's these children who will live the consequences. We really hope they remember them when any plans are officially announced.' While Matthew, 10, said: 'It was good. I liked talking to people.' Meanwhile, Katie Nellist summed things up, saying: 'The MPs were listening and engaged. This is an issue that is not going to go away and young people won't let it go either. 'The Government hasn't been engaging with us, now I want to make sure the young person's voice keeps being heard because it's our future.' 'My daughter wouldn't be able to get an education without her EHCP' Hope Foley, five, lives in Essex with sister Poppy, dad Reiss and mum Holly. Born premature at 27, she had a severe Grade 4 bleed on the brain and has a number of significant physical and medical needs including cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She also has post haemorrhagic hydrocephalus - fluid on the brain - and epilepsy. She attends mainstream school and has an EHCP. Her mum Holly says: 'The harsh reality is Hope would not be able to attend school and get an education without this support in place.' Katie Nellist, 18, lives in Oxfordshire with sister Amy, dad Pete and mum Ruth. Katie was diagnosed autistic aged 11 and has PTSD, associated with education. She believes she was failed by the SEND system and had virtually no secondary school education - finally getting an EHCP in year 8 and applying for a place in a specialist school, but none were available. She eventually got an ETOAS (Education Other Than At School) and she is now training to work with horses. An avid campaigner for SEND rights, she was one of six young people who gave evidence in person to the Education Select Committee inquiry 'Solving the SEND Crisis' in March 2025 Arsenal and cricket loving Matthew Harding, 10, lives in Surrey with brother Connor, eight, mum Hayley and dad Ben. Matthew is autistic and has ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia. His special needs were identified early as he needed physiotherapy in order to walk. After a long fight - his case was even mentioned at Prime Minister's Questions - he was finally given a place at an ASD base attached to a mainstream school where he has thrived. His parents are certain that his EHCP is essential. Audrey Baynton-Williams, 11, lives in Hove with brother Rex, mum Vicky and dad Ted. Audrey has Down's syndrome and is about to transition from a mainstream primary school to a mainstream secondary. Audrey's mum Vicky, 46, works part-time for a local charity (Amaze) that helps families with children with special educational needs and disabilities. She says: 'Audrey's EHCP has been crucial in allowing her to learn in a mainstream setting. Audrey loves school and being a part of the class.' Young carer Rosie Harris, 16, from Sutton, has two brothers with disabilities. William, now 21, has cerebral palsy and autism with complex epilepsy as a child. James, 13, has retinal dystrophy, resulting in a significant visual impairment. Rosie's cousin, Jack, four, is non-verbal autistic. Rosie, who wants to study law, says: 'Over the past 10 years I have witnessed the impact of the reduction of support for SEND children. I intend to study law to enable me to advocate for children that the current and previous governments are failing.''
Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EUAN McCOLM: Ignore the urge to stick two fingers up to Trump, deploy some 'necessary hypocrisy' and welcome him to Scotland, Mr Swinney - it's your duty
John Swinney was perfectly clear. So far as the First Minister was concerned, the UK should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit from US President Donald Trump. Days after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Mr Trump at the Whitehouse, Mr Swinney said the invitation should be revoked. The US President was not, said the SNP leader, a 'steadfast ally'. The nationalists' leader at Westminster, Stephen Flynn MP, was even more direct, saying it was time for Mr Starmer to 'get back up of his knees' and withdraw the offer of bells-and-whistles visit. Both Mr Swinney and Mr Flynn lashed out after a meeting between Mr Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky during which the US president harangued his counterpart. There is no question in my mind that Mr Trump and his Vice President JD Vance behaved disgracefully during that Oval Office summit. Their attempts to humiliate Mr Zelensky made them look the small men they are. And so the instinct to stick two fingers up to the American President is, I think, perfectly understandable. But what good would withdrawal of that invitation have done? How would that have advanced the cause of the Ukrainian people or benefitted the UK? (Those calling for the cancellation of a state visit might, had their demands been met, have enjoyed a dopamine-rush of self-righteousness, I suppose.) It now emerges that, in advance of the state visit in September, Mr Trump will be in the UK later this month. The President will meet both Sir Keir and Mr Swinney during a trip to his Aberdeenshire golf resort. While the First Minister greets Mr Trump, other Scottish MSPs will be protesting his presence in the country. During the launch, last week, of his bid to become one the Scottish Green Party's two co-leaders, Ross Greer said he doubted that Mr Swinney would agree to meet either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu. 'What,' asked Mr Greer, 'is the distinction between them other than economic power and how do we think history will judge those who tried to treat him like just another world leader?' Leaving aside the far-left's obsession with the judgement of history, why shouldn't Mr Trump be treated, while in the UK, like any other world leader? It is - or certainly should be - possible for a politician to deprecate the actions of the petty and vindictive president while maintaining a clear-eyed view of the bigger picture. And that bigger picture is one in which - although the present occupant of the White House may not be to one's taste - the USA remains a key democratic ally to the UK. Some years ago, I attended an event in Edinburgh at which former US President Barack Obama delivered a speech in which he spoke of the complexity of political relationships and decision making. Sometimes, he said, leadership involved a degree of 'necessary hypocrisy'. To the rigid ideologue, such a concept is difficult to grasp. Armed with the certainty that he - and only those who agree with him - are in the right, he attacks those who do not share his worldview. From the moral high-ground, the view is not at all clear. Rather, it is clouded by the prejudices or, if one is feeling charitable, convictions of the person standing there. When John Swinney and Stephen Flynn spoke out against a state visit for President Trump, they gave voice to the instincts of many. The disgusting treatment of President Zelensky during his White House visit remains a stain on the USA's reputation. But politicians are not elected to give voice to our personal - or, indeed their own - prejudices but to advance the interests of the country. And, I do not see how it would benefit the UK - including Scotland - for either Sir Keir Starmer or Mr Swinney to pick an unnecessary fight with Mr Trump. The SNP has form when it comes to the childishly inept handling of international relations. Last August, Mr Swinney was invited to meet Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky. Unable to attend, the First Minister sent external affairs secretary Angus Robertson in his stead. Mr Robertson - as he should have - greeted Ms Grudsky warmly and happily posed for photographs with her. Then came the backlash from within the SNP. There were calls from nationalists for Mr Robertson to be suspended from the party. SNP backbencher Christine Grahame, said her constituents were shocked the meeting had happened, and described Robertson as 'a liability' while minister Ivan McKee told the BBC that his colleagues should reflect on what he had said during the meeting. As the backlash grew, Mr Robertson humiliated himself. With the benefit of hindsight, he said, the meeting - which included discussions about rising antisemitism, renewable energy cooperation, and culture - should have gone played out differently. 'No one,' said Mr Robertson, 'intended that this meeting be presented as legitimatising the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. The Scottish government has been consistent in our unequivocal condemnation of the atrocities we have witnessed in Gaza.' The external affairs secretary went on to say that it 'would have been better' to ensure the meeting had been strictly limited to the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 'I apologise,' he said, 'for the fact this did not happen.' Mr Robertson is a rarity among senior SNP politicians in that he has some grasp of the complexity of international relations. He is, by nature, a pragmatist; he went to that meeting with Ms Grudsky, enthusiastically, because he understood it was the right thing to do. Mr Robertson's apology was an embarrassment to him and Scotland. It should hardly need stating that taking meetings with foreign presidents or ambassadors does not mean support for the positions they hold. Rather, it displays the necessary willingness to engage with the world as it is rather than as one might hope it to be. When Donald Trump visits the UK later this month, John Swinney should smile, shake his hand, and make the case for US investment in our country. That is his duty. It is not in the best of interests of either the UK - including Scotland - or Ukraine for posturing politicians at Holyrood to make the presidential visit about their personal feelings.
The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Britain has opened its arms to the Afghans who served with our soldiers – we must not betray them
LABOUR and the Conservatives have abused draconian secrecy laws to conceal an epic email cock-up that put 100,000 lives at risk. For the first time in history the government used a super-injunction to gag the UK press – and did so for almost two years. 2 2 Keeping secrets to save lives is justified. Keeping secrets to spare blushes is disgraceful. It is how dictatorships behave. This government and its predecessor both concealed an email leak which put up to 100,000 Afghans at risk of Taliban death squads. They claimed it was out of concern for the Afghans. But if the really cared about those Afghans they would have informed them about the leak immediately, in 2022. Yet most of the 19,000 people whose names were leaked only found out yesterday – after all the schemes to save from the Taliban have already been closed down. It is yet another betrayal. The governments' real fear was riots and unrest at home – protests over more refugees. They underestimate people. This country has opened its arms, quite rightly, to the Afghans who served with our soldiers during our 20 year campaign. We must not betray them again.
