14 DAY TRIAL // The former James Bond Actor Sean Connery is probably the most famous Scot out there today and that's why his opinion in certain matters is considered to hold a lot of weight with countrymen. Speaking about the upcoming independence referendum, Connery urged Scots to vote for leaving the United Kingdom.
The 83-year-old screen legend has been known as an advocate of Scottish independence for some time now, so there is really no surprise that he's promoting the same message for the September referendum. He claims that this is a rare opportunity for Scotland to break out on its own and it's too good to miss.
According to The Sun, Connery thinks that independence would bolster the film industry as well as other creative industries and create new jobs for the population. He also added that a break from the British would bring back focus on Scottish culture, heritage and creative excellence.
Though he was born in Edinburgh, Connery hasn't been living in Scotland for some time now but insists that the decision should be made by the people who live and work in the country, “I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there — that’s only right.”
“But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss,” the actor revealed. In his opinion, “a Yes vote will capture the world’s attention. There will be a renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence.”
The former James Bond has left his native country in the 1950s and went to live in more exotic locations such as the Bahamas and Marbella, in Spain. He said that he would ponder a return to his birthplace only if Scotland was going to leave the UK and strive for independence.
His radical vision is not shared by everybody. For example, British singer and songwriter David Bowie has spoken out on the same matter, but he urged Scots not to leave the British Union in his speech at recent Brit Awards, something which the British Prime Minister David Cameron found beneficial.
As of last week, a recent poll established that 53% of Scots are currently considering a “No” vote, meaning they want to stay in the United Kingdom, as compared with 35% who are rooting for Scottish independence.