A MAJORITY of Scots think the Scottish Parliament – and not Westminster – should have legislative powers over broadcasting in Scotland, according to a new opinion poll.
And the Panelbase survey found two-thirds of those asked thought the Royal Family had a duty not to take sides in the Scottish independence debate.
The poll asked voters: “Which parliament do you think should have law-making powers over Scottish broadcasting?”
In response, 22% opted for the UK Parliament, while 65% said the Scottish Parliament.
Excluding “Don’t Know” replies, a massive 75% said Holyrood should have legislative powers over broadcasting, with 25% opting for Westminster.
READ MORE: Scotland is clear: Broadcasting should be controlled by Holyrood, not Westminster
Pollster James Kelly told The National: “I wasn't surprised that there was a majority for the devolution of broadcasting, but the size of that majority did take me aback.
“This is a potential problem for Unionists, who like to have their cake and eat it by boasting that Holyrood is ‘the most powerful devolved parliament in the world’ while simultaneously hoarding powers at Westminster that a number of other devolved parliaments around the world have held for decades.
“It would be easier to get away with that contradiction if there was a broad consensus in Scotland that broadcasting is the exception that proves the rule, and that it's somehow better off controlled from London.
“But this poll clearly shows that the consensus is in the opposite direction.”
A further two-part question Kelly put to voters took them back to events before the 2014 independence referendum: “The former Prime Minister David Cameron revealed in a TV interview that he asked the Queen to intervene in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 by ‘raising an eyebrow’.
“After his request, the Queen was shown on news bulletins telling a member of the public that voters in the referendum should ‘think very carefully about the future’.
“Which of the following statements is closest to your view?
“It is acceptable for the Royal Family to take sides in the Scottish independence debate, as long as they superficially appear to be remaining neutral.
“It is not enough for the Royal Family to superficially appear to remain neutral – they have a duty not to take sides in the Scottish independence debate in any way.”
In response, more than half (52%) said it was not enough for the Royals to “appear” neutral, while 29% said it was.
READ MORE: BBC says its 'sweeping changes' will ensure fair and unbiased content
That figure rose to 36% when “Don’t Knows” were excluded compared to 64% who said it was their duty to remain neutral.
While the monarch has to maintain strict neutrality when it comes to political issues, the Queen has crossed that line a few times on the constitutional question.
A week before the 2014 indyref, she told a well-wisher outside Crathie Kirk – her place of worship when she is in residence at her Balmoral Estate: “Well, I hope people will think very carefully about the future.”
There were also reports ahead of the indyref that the Queen was prepared to intervene to shore up support for the Union.
Before doctors yesterday advised her to rest, she also appeared to be leading a “charm offensive” to save the Union with Prince William and Kate.
However, most people will remember the incident after the referendum when then prime minister David Cameron said the Queen had “purred down the line” after he told her that Scotland had voted no to independence.
READ MORE: 'Nick Robinson has cost the BBC a lot of money', furious Tory Culture Minister says
Cameron subsequently admitted that was “a terrible mistake” – matched only by the Brexit referendum and his lobbying for Greensill Capital.
Kelly added: “I thought it would be a bit pointless to ask people whether the Royal Family should remain politically neutral, because the Royals’ own perception seems to be that persistently meddling in the independence debate is perfectly consistent with their constitutional duty to remain neutral, just so long as they only do it behind the scenes and in a deniable way.
“So, instead I asked respondents whether they think it's OK for the Royal Family to take sides if they remain superficially neutral – and it turns out that a clear majority of the Scottish public think that just isn't good enough.”
The SNP's shadow culture and media secretary John Nicolson MP (above) said: “I welcome this poll. Legislative powers over broadcasting should be devolved to Holyrood. It’s something that the SNP has long called for - so it’s encouraging to see the vast majority of Scots agree with us.
“Scotland has a flourishing broadcasting sector. Its needs and responsibilities are understood best by those who live and work here. We all want Scottish broadcasting to go from strength to strength - having that expansion regulated by Holyrood rather than Westminster makes sense.
“I urge the Prime Minister to listen and to devolve these powers in line with Scottish public opinion. We were, after all, promised the most powerful devolved Parliament in the world. This would be the perfect opportunity to show that he’s matching words with action.”
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