An independent Scotland would not be part of the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. A majority of Scots backed staying in the EU in last year's referendum and the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), which lost a bid for independence in 2014, has said there should be another vote on the issue if its views on Brexit are rejected in upcoming divorce negotiations with Brussels. On Tuesday, Scotland's devolved parliament rejected May's Brexit plans in a symbolic, non-binding vote. Asked by an SNP lawmaker whether she would go ahead and trigger Britain's divorce from the EU without agreeing a UK-wide negotiating position, May said: "He constantly refers to the interests of Scotland inside the European Union — an independent Scotland would not be in the European Union." The battle over Scotland's constitutional future is now "a virtual dead heat" with support rising for independence as Britain prepares to leave the European Union, according to a new poll released Wednesday. Support has risen to 49 percent, excluding undecided voters, with 51 percent in favor of the British union, a BMG poll for the Herald newspaper said. The poll was conducted after May confirmed her intention to take Britain out of the European single market. Scotland rejected independence by 55 percent in 2014, and 20 months later it voted to remain in the European Union by 62 percent. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has said a second independence referendum is now "highly likely", and allies have suggested it could be as early as 2018. Former SNP leader Alex Salmond tweeted a picture of the Herald's front page story on the poll, saying: "Game on..." The SNP said the latest poll showed the independence debate is now "a virtual dead heat". "If the Tories continue with their blind pursuit of a hard Brexit, ignoring the clear view of an overwhelming majority of people in Scotland, then more and more people will see independence as the option delivering certainty and stability," said party chair Derek Mackay. Conducted among 1,067 voters over 16, the poll asked: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" with 43 percent saying "Yes" and 45 percent saying "No". The remainder were undecided or would not say. It represents a three-point swing towards independence from a similar BMG/Herald poll conducted in December. However, the survey also found 56 percent of Scots do not want another independence referendum before the conclusion of Brexit negotiations, expected in 2019. — Agencies
