A new poll reveals Scots see their country as a victim of the British Empire, not a partner, highlighting a negative perception of its history.
Edinburgh: A recent poll shows that many Scots view Scotland as a victim of the British Empire. They feel Scotland was more of a subject than a partner.
The British Empire was the largest global power in the 19th and 20th centuries. It gained much of its wealth through colonialism and slavery, with Scots playing a role in this history.
YouGov conducted the poll to understand Scotland’s attitude toward the British Empire. The results indicate that most Scots hold a negative view of it.
According to the survey, 40% of Scots believe their country was a subject of the British Empire. In contrast, only 29% see Scotland as a partner with England.
Among SNP voters, 60% think Scotland was a subject. Similarly, 55% of those who voted for independence in 2014 share this view.
Interestingly, 50% of Scots who know a lot about the empire believe Scotland was a partner. Those with less knowledge are more likely to see Scotland as a victim.
About 35% of Scots think their country benefitted more than it suffered from being part of the empire. However, negativity towards the empire is stronger in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.
While 30% of Scots view the British Empire as shameful, only 22% see it as a source of pride. Yet, 18% wish Scotland had its own empire.
Among SNP voters, 25% wish for a Scottish Empire, while 27% of those who voted for independence feel the same. However, 55% believe a Scottish Empire would have acted similarly to other empires.
For more details about the poll, check out the YouGov website.
