Political engagement drops since referendum

The political renaissance among people in Scotland since the 2014 independence referendum has“not been sustained ”, a new report has indicated.

The certainty to vote of S cots has fallen by ten points from last year to 59 per cent, and now stands a little below the British average ( 62 per cent), according to the latest Hansard Society Audit of Political engagement.

The report said a “referendum effect” was clearly discernible following the 2014 vote, with those certain to vote among Scottish respondents climbing 11 points in a year to 72 per cent. But it added: “The up surge in engagement has not been sustained.”

Interest in politics has risen in Scotland this year by four points to 62 per cent. Just 14 per cent of Scots are satisfied with the system of governing Britain, down from 36 per cent in 2014.