Poll is the one and only chance of independence, warns Carmichael
ALEX Salmond has been warned that this year’s referendum is the SNP’s ‘one and only chance’ to make Scotland independent.
The SNP leader and his deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, have both said an independence poll is a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ – and suggested they believe they could get another chance in as little as 15 years if they lose.
But Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael yesterday insisted that the younger generation are more opposed to ‘putting up boundaries’ than anyone else – a trend which he claims is likely to continue for decades.
He suggested that the growing consensus for handing more powers to the Scottish parliament will help settle the independence issue for good.
His comments come as polling suggests that Mr Salmond’s decision to grant 16 and 17-yearolds the vote may have backfired – as they have unexpectedly appeared to be vehemently opposed to independence.
Mr Carmichael said: ‘The reason why I think we have the opportunity to settle it is, first of all, we are able to say there would be an ongoing process of reform which will give more powers to the Scottish parliament, and secondly, I think the generation that is coming through – the 16 to 24-year-olds – are overwhelmingly opposed to independence. They think it is something that is not relevant to their life experience.’
Polls have indicated that young people are among the most opposed to independence.
But elections expert John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: ‘Surveys of 16 and 17-year-olds do suggest that group is not in favour of independence, but the group most opposed are over 65 and, to put no fine a point on it, they will disappear first.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘We are focused on achieving a Yes vote in September and are confident of doing so, with polls showing Yes well within reach of success, including among young people.’