VOA常速英语:Will Brexit Cost Breakup of Britain?(翻译)

Pamela Jenkins saw a world of opportunity for her children growing up inside the European Union. Now she is devastated by Britain’s vote to leave the bloc.

“I’m so mortified that the country that I live in has opted out for such, in my opinion, horrific reasons, sheer xenophobia and racism in my opinion. I don’t see our United Kingdom now as so wonderful as I did before.”

Two years ago, Jenkins voted no in the Scottish Independence Referendum. She has Changed her mind.

“I would like them to grow up within the EU, absolutely. And if voting for an independent Scotland means that that’s more likely to happen, then that’s what I would do.”

She is not alone. Polls taken after the Brexit vote show around 60 percent of Scots now support independence, compared to 45 percent in the 2014 referendum.

Many Scots felt that the government in London is forcing them to accept a deeply unpopular decision and that is stirring a root cause for Scottish Independence.

Edinburgh University student, Ben Nisbet has also switched sides since the 2014 referendum.

“I would really, really be inclined to vote ‘Yes’ to an independent Scotland, and that’s something that I’m really surprised about.”

Nisbet says his generation has benefited greatly from EU membership.

“I’ve been able to travel a lot of in Europe, very cheaply and very easily without costs for visas or ever. As well as I’ve seen a great deal of cultures within Scotland as well. It does mean a lot to me, you know, in terms of funding as well. I’ve got a younger brother who has Down Syndrome. And the EU has been really active in, sort of, engaging with people with additional needs.”

The wider picture is more complex. “Scotland the Brave” blasts out across the center of Edinburgh.

“The Spinning Blowfish” are a Scottish-Italian trio: European integration personified, but bagpiper David Spiers voted to leave the European Union, because he considers it undemocratic.

“I also voted in favor of Scotland becoming independent in 2014. But I accept that we lost that vote, and it was very, very recent. And I don’t think we should have another referendum just to try to undo the decision that’s been made.”

The EU vote has ignited a fiery debate over identity and democracy. The price of ‘Brexit’ could well be the breakup of Britain itself.

Henry Ridgwell for VOANEWS Edinburgh