SCOTTISH voters are to be asked for their views on Scottish independence in the wake of the UK’s Brexit vote – so the Border Telegraph and Peeblesshire News decided to run our own online poll to gauge local feeling.

On both websites – we asked readers if they wanted another referendum on independence, and they voted in their thousands.

Polls were open from last Friday, October 21 until Tuesday, October 28, bringing more than 20,000 views across both websites.

The results showed that 82 per cent of those who voted would welcome Indy Ref 2, with 18 per cent saying no.

The Scottish Government claims its draft bill – announced last week – has been prepared to protect Scotland’s interests in light of the UK vote to leave the EU, despite the overwhelming vote across Scotland to remain.

By having the bill available, the government says it will allow all options for the Scottish Parliament to protect Scotland’s continuing relationship with Europe.

The draft bill proposes that any referendum would be run in a way similar to 2014, with technical adjustments to reflect recent changes in elections law and procedures such as individual registration.

The consultation runs until Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

We also asked you to have your say on our Facebook pages and you haven’t disappointed.

Jim Norman Egan said: “I voted NO last time around but the UK government let us down badly with this and I see no need to go down with their sinking ship. I’m a definite ‘YES’ next time.”

Dianne Ramage said: “No... have a bit of respect for all the people that voted the first time! Another waste of money and time.”

Wayne Anderson said: “Yes, Brexit has weakened the pound and by the time we do leave, we probably will have lost our trade deals with the rest of the EU. Scotland voted to stay in the EU but now we are being dragged out due to “democracy”. 

Carol Morton said: “Definitely not. We had a vote but it seems democracy does not matter. You cannot keep voting until you get your own way – that is not democracy. The constant speculation is causing untold damage to the economy and the interests of Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Tweeddale MP and Scottish Secretary David Mundell (Cons) said: “Constant talk of another independence referendum is creating uncertainty and damaging the Scottish economy at a time when our growth is lagging behind the UK as a whole.

“The people of Scotland spoke loudly and clearly in the result of the legal, fair and decisive referendum of 2014 and that should be respected, as the UK and Scottish Governments both committed to do in the Edinburgh Agreement. 

“As we prepare to leave the EU, the First Minister should commit her government to working constructively with the UK Government to seize the opportunities that will bring, not taking Scotland back to the divisive constitutional debates of the past.”

But Calum Kerr, SNP MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk told us: “I welcome the results of this online poll and I think it shows a recognition of how much circumstances have changed since 2014. Scotland voted to remain part of a very different union two years ago.

“So I’m not surprised that many people are now re-assessing their decision about Scotland’s future and want the opportunity to express that. At the end of the day though, the question of whether another referendum will be required is one that will be determined by Theresa May.

"Scotland clearly expressed its wish to remain in Europe and we still have no idea whether the UK government will recognise that as Brexit negotiations commence. ”

What do you think?

Send us your views for our letters page, including your name and address, to editorial@peeblesshirenews.com