AS the arguments in the Supreme Court over the possibility of a second independence referendum drew to a close, The National took to the streets of London to take the temperature of its citizens.
Many Londoners expressed a measure of support for independence and most people we spoke with thought another referendum should go ahead.
But others expressed sadness at the prospect of the possible break-up of the more than 300-year-old Union.
Georgie Stagg, from south-east London, said: “I think Scotland should get independence, I really do.
“Why would they want to be ruled by that bunch of crooks in Westminster?
“Now, I’m not saying your Government is perfect, but what you don’t want is an imperfect government being added to by that lot of crooks in Westminster.”
Beside her was David Jardine, who now lives in London but is originally from the Borders, who said he didn’t see why the Supreme Court should rule on “Scotland’s decisions”.
Stagg added: “It should be up to the Scottish people to decide happens to them in their future and I’m with them 100%. If they want to break away from this lot that’s what should happen.”
A man from the Dominican Republic, on holiday in London, who did not give his name, said Europe would be “stronger” if states “stayed together”.
He added: “I don’t think that divisions in any state, not even Scotland, not Catalonia in any part is going to help Europe. We are stronger together.”
Ben Smith, from Gloucester, said: “I would be sad to see Scotland go, to be honest but that would be about it.
“It’s obviously Scotland’s decision. It’s a family relationship between Scotland and England and Wales and if the Scottish people believe they want to be separate, I’d support that but I’d rather them stay with us.”
Andrew Derry, originally from Newcastle, said he was the son of a “staunch Unionist” Scot who was deeply opposed to independence.
“I can see the benefits from both sides really,” he said.
“The issue with referendums is they are incredibly divisive. You’ve seen that with not only the first Scottish referendum but also the Brexit referendum as well.
“I think that needs to be taken into consideration. Certainly from that aspect, it should be counter-productive as that destroys the fabric of society.”
Judith, originally from the US, said she had to “think about what I think”.
“I’d be sorry if Scotland left,” she said. Asked if she ever regretted America’s independence from the UK, she said: “Nope.”
Jonathan Swain, from Northampton, said: “I think it is the right of the Scottish people to decide their future. If that has changed, then I think the Scottish people should be given the right to make that choice.
“Personally, as an Englishman and as a businessman, I would hope that the leaders of Scotland would explain the impact of these changes financially and in other ways. There’s borders that need protecting if you become independent, there’s police, navy, army, all those sorts of things that need to be factored into it.
“If it works, then it’s right for the people, they should do it.
“I think it’s something that should happen frequently because the people of Scotland should be allowed to choose their destiny.
“As an Englishman, I would be very sad to see Scotland leave Britain, it would break my heart. They are such an important part of who we stand for but at the end of the day it’s the right of the Scottish people.”
Another man, who did not give his name, said Scotland should “keep part of the Union” and asked “when does it ever stop” if another referendum was given the go-ahead by the court.
Another man walking past the court told this paper another referendum should happen based on Scots’ right to “self-determination”.
Oral arguments in the court closed on Tuesday afternoon and now judges must read through 8000 documents and consider the cases put to them by Dorothy Bain for the Scottish Government and James Eadie for the UK side.
It is not currently known when a decision will be made, but it is thought to be expected within the next six or eight weeks.
