Only 46% think David Cameron will keep his promises to Scotland

After months of campaigning and debate, the Scottish referendum is finally over and Scotland has voted to stay in the UK. But it was a close one and it wasn’t just the Scottish voters who were having their say. People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland joined in the debate. In light of the result, OnePoll carried out an opinion poll of 1000 UK adults to get their views on the result.

37% of people polled in this survey said they were relieved when Scotland voted to stay part of the UK however nearly a quarter admitted that they didn’t care (24%).

Powers to Scotland

In a bid to persuade Scotland to stay part of the UK, David Cameron and other political leaders hot footed it to Scotland to promise them more powers.

Out of the 1000 people polled, only 46% thought that David Cameron would actually uphold these promises. Nearly a quarter were unsure. Respondents were also asked if they thought labour would keep these promises should they get into power next year but it was an almost equal split of opinion. 34% thought they would uphold these promises, 33% said no they wouldn’t and the remaining 33% were unsure.

Devolution of powers to UK cities

The debate about devolution of powers to Scotland led to a debate about devolution of powers to UK cities. This would give cities more power over the issues that affect their own area.

Nearly a third of the people in the survey said they didn’t think David Cameron would go through with this (29%) and 34% thought he would but only if he’s elected next year. Respondents were more trusting of Labour over this issue with just under a quarter saying a Labour government would agree to give more powers to cities.

The West Lothian question

The idea that only certain ministers may be able to vote on certain issues has had both backlash and support in the House of Commons. Of the Scottish people polled in this survey (8%), a whopping 73% said it is right that only Scottish ministers vote on Scottish matters as opposed to only 44% of Londoners who said the same. Opinion didn’t change much when asked about English ministers only voting on English matters which 50% of Londoners and 69% of Scottish respondents said was right.

Next year

Respondents were also asked how they thought the Scottish referendum would affect the campaigns for next year’s general election.

Over a quarter thought the Scottish referendum would affect David Cameron’s campaign negatively next year. Nearly half think this because he nearly lost Scotland, with a further 45% saying it’s because he won’t follow through with his promises to Scotland.

Other reasons cited included:
David Cameron and the Conservative party cannot be trusted.
He sold out England.
Because throughout the entire campaign he was smug and patronising, losing favour with both sides of the issue.