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Why Did Scottish People Vote For SNP But Said No to Independence?

Mark Sterling
Mark Sterling
Research Editor · Jan 20, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

The shift isn't as dramatic as it looks at first. The SNP only had a little over 50% of the votes in Scotland, and the referendum result was 45% yes. We can assume that the 45% who voted yes also voted SNP, so we only need 1 in 11 of the no voters to switch.

163
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1 min
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#16
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The Short Answer

The shift isn't as dramatic as it looks at first. The SNP only had a little over 50% of the votes in Scotland, and the referendum result was 45% yes. We can assume that the 45% who voted yes also voted SNP, so we only need 1 in 11 of the no voters to switch. Some people voting no were doing so because they didn't want full independence but did want more powers for the Scottish Parliament. Labour have been particularly reluctant to follow up on the promises made during the referendum campaign because they often depend on their Scottish seats to give them an overall majority in the UK. Giving more powers to the Scottish Parliament leads to calls to stop Scottish MPs voting on things which only affect England, which would hurt Labour. If you voted no but do want more devolution, many people would feel that voting for your current Labour MP isn't going help and voting SNP is the best way to get it.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Voting, scottish, voted

This explanation focuses on voting, scottish, voted and spans 163 words across 7 sentences. At 126% above the average History explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “The shift isn't as dramatic as it looks at first.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 7 connected points.

How This Compares in History

Ranked #16 of 500 History questions by answer depth (top 4%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why scottish people vote for snp but said no to independence?

The shift isn't as dramatic as it looks at first. The SNP only had a little over 50% of the votes in Scotland, and the referendum result was 45% yes. We can assume that the 45% who voted yes also voted SNP, so we only need 1 in 11 of the no voters…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar History questions?

This is one of the most thorough answer at 163 words, ranked #16 of 500 History questions by depth. The key concepts covered are voting, scottish, voted.

What approach does this answer take to explain scottish people vote for snp but said no to independence?

The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 163 words. It is categorized under History and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.