From ScotCen: Social Research that works for society on 29th October, further evidence that those living in Scotland are more commonly in favour of progressive, egalitarian, leftist policies, than those in England:
For example, people in Scotland (45%) are more likely than their counterparts in England (34%) to feel that it is wrong that people on higher incomes can buy better education than those on lower incomes. There is a similar gap when the same question is asked about health care – 42% in Scotland think that is wrong compared with 32% in England.
Scotland’s somewhat more egalitarian streak also comes through when people are asked whether taxes in Britain for those on higher incomes are too high or too low. North of the border, 44% say they are too low, compared with 36% further south.
At the same time, nearly three-quarters of people in Scotland (72%) feel that the distribution of income in Britain is unfair, compared with slightly less than two-thirds (64%) in England.
https://www.scotcen.org.uk/blog/is-scotland-more-egalitarian-than-england
The author of this comment, Sir John Curtice, describes these as ‘but ones of degree.’ His understanding of percentages puzzles given that, say 30%, could mean 1.8 million people. The above figures suggest those living in Scotland:
are more than 30% more likely to think it is wrong that people on higher incomes can buy better education than those on lower incomes;
are nearly 30% more likely to think it is wrong that people on higher incomes can buy better health care than those on lower incomes;
are more than 20% more likely to think taxes for those on higher incomes are too low;
are 8% more likely feel that the distribution of income in Britain is unfair.
Earlier examples:
Scotland IS different as it protects unaccompanied children seeking asylum
It is a matter of life in Scotland and death in England
Scotland IS a different place as its universities offer guaranteed places to care leavers
Abuse of women and the disabled far higher in England than in Scotland
Scottish Muslim students far less likely to report abuse or crime?
Terror de-radicalisation referral rate in Scotland less than one third per capita of that in England
Scientific evidence that Scots tend to be different from the other groups in rUK?
Who said Scots were not more left-wing than those in the rest of the UK?
Different Scotland in the UN report on ‘Workhouse Britain’
Scottish values making oil and gas firms a tad different too?
Are Scotland’s employers also different – more willing to pay a decent wage?
Talking-up Scotland / Scottish media fact checking is like shooting fish in a barrel 
Having quickly read both Professor Curtice’s blog and also the relevant chapter of the report it refers to, I am left with an impression that in drafting the former and the conclusions of the latter, there may have been an attempt to emphasise the similarities between attitudes in England and Scotland – it would be remarkable if there were none – but to minimise or underplay the differences.
In the ‘Overview’ section of the main report, this is stated: “People living in Scotland tend to be more social – democratically minded than people living in England.” And: “… there are significant differences between people living in England and Scotland in terms of perceptions of social fairness, ..…”
Alert readers will note the use of the term ‘significantly’ here!
But in his blog, Professor Curtis states: “In short, the image that emerges from the research is that Scotland is far from being at odds with England in its dislike of inequality and is only a little more inclined to do something about it” This leaves the reader with a rather different message!
And the main report states: “… respondents in Scotland who identified with the SNP were more likely to express dissatisfaction with government effectiveness at tackling inequality than respondents who identified with other parties.”
I have a sense here – and perhaps I’m getting hypersensitive – that a question asked about effectiveness of “the government in Britain” is then shifted to, at least by implication, ‘governments in Britain’. Quite different things! If asked about views on ‘the government in Britain’ I strongly suspect most SNP voters would take this to mean Westminster: their expression of dissatisfaction then indicates much more than, in the words of Professor Curtis, “only a little more inclined to do something about it”! They are ‘inclined’ to the most radical enabling action – dissolving the Union!
Elsewhere in the main report we learn:
“… the comparatively more negative perception of those in Scotland of Britain’s current income distribution does suggest that Scotland may have more of a tendency towards socially democratic politics – consistent with previous analysis of BSA and SSA.”
And also: ‘Significantly more respondents living in Scotland think that it is “somewhat wrong” or “very wrong” for those with higher incomes to be able to buy better health care, with two in five (42%) reporting this view, compared to one third (32%) in England. Similarly, 45% of respondents in Scotland feel that it is somewhat or definitely wrong that people with higher incomes can buy better education, compared with one third (34%) of respondents in England.’
Note that word ‘significantly’ again!
And finally and oddly: “Amongst those that identify with socially democratic parties, there are differences between respondents in England relative to Scotland, but these are relatively subtle. Half of social democrat identifiers in Scotland feel that people on higher incomes buying better health care or education is wrong (49% and 53% respectively). This compares with approximately two-fifths of respondents in England (37% and 40%) respectively.”
Check the differences in percentages: 49% vs. 37%; 53% vs 40%. Are these really ‘subtle’ differences? Or a drafting of text to, not so subtly, underplaying differences?
Throughout the report there are numerous instances where claimed prevalence of similarities or only subtle differences in attitudes between Scotland and England are used to question ‘difference’ as a justifiable part of the case for Scotland’s independence.
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There is a persistent theme running through the Brit Nat commentariat to the effect that we are all one “big happy family”, sharing the same opinions, beliefs and foibles as each other.
This is a necessary “narrative” to their colonial enterprise over Scotland.
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Exactly gavinochiltree
Curtice finds what suits his political views whenever he considers anything at all, it matters not what the overall findings are or what the facts are Curtice inflates the Westminster friendly parts because his job rests on it.
Scottish independence will bury Curtice he will be obsolete nobody will respect him and that is a great fear he has.
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Boris, the Liar in Chief for the Union, has failed to “progress” the promise he made over furlough to the “devolved” governments.
It seems that money borrowed is only at the time of England’s need, only everyone will be expected to pay it back.
“What’s this in this years GERS”?
“Oh, its the Home Counties borrowing requirement, and that’s your share”!
Barnett pochlin’.
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Boris couldnt be any more red-faced than if he was wearing Ruthies knickers on his head.
What that you say?
Big knickers!—–But Boris has a big, big head!
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