SCOTTISH voters believe that Brexit will have a detrimental impact on the economy at home and abroad while denting the influence of both the UK and EU on the world stage.
The Ipsos Mori survey suggests that almost three months after almost two thirds north of the border voted to Remain in the EU, most still fear that leaving the bloc is a bad idea.
When asked about the impact on the UK economy, around half, 53 per cent, think it will be negative compared to just over one in five, 21 per cent, who think it will have a positive effect. Similarly, 43 per cent think that Brexit will have a negative impact on the UK’s influence on the world stage, compared to 24 per cent who think the opposite.
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But while it was found that Scottish voters are also pessimistic about the prospects for the EU following Brexit, they were less downcast than counterparts in other European countries.
Mark Diffley, Director at Ipsos MORI Scotland, said: "Given that nearly two-thirds of Scots voted to remain in the EU, it is perhaps unsurprising that most think Brexit will have a negative impact in terms of economy and international standing and influence. What is interesting though is that we see Brexit as less negative for the European economy and influence than people in other European countries, including across Britain as a whole."
The survey found that in Scotland, 48 per cent thought Brexit will be negative for the EU economy compared to 15 per cent who think it will be positive. Meanwhile, 37 per cent think it will be negative for the EU’s standing in the world compared to 16 per cent who think it will be positive.
The result contrasts with 72 per cent of voters in Hungary who think Brexit will have a detrimental impact on the EU economy, and 66 per cent who said it would harm European influence. More than half of voters in Poland and Sweden also believed the impact of Brexit would be negative on both counts.
The French were the most optimistic, with only 35 per cent believing Brexit would have a negative impact on the UK economy and 34 per cent believing it would harm European influence.
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The findings came as academics reported that UK voters are showing little sign of "buyer's remorse" over the choice they made in the EU referendum, following separate studies.
Professor John Curtice, a polling expert based at the University of Strathclyde found analysed a range of surveys carried out in the wake of the result and said the public has become more "realistic" about the impact Brexit will have on migration levels and NHS spending.
And there is "quite an appetite" for a compromise exit deal that gives the UK a lot of access to the Single Market and some control over immigration, he found.
Speaking at King's College London, Prof Curtice said: "Some of the expectations about the consequences of Brexit for the level of immigration have been somewhat toned down.
"Before the referendum, over half the public expected the level of immigration to fall as a consequence of Brexit. Now, however, that number has fallen to around 45 per cent."
Read more: Scottish Labour autonomy reforms blasted as 'cosmetic'
Vote Leave produced billboards during the campaign that said: "Let's give our NHS the £350 million the EU takes every week" - a promise that was heavily attacked for lacking credibility.
Before the referendum 40 per cent of voters believed Brexit would have a positive impact on the NHS but that has since dropped to 26 per cent, YouGov research highlighted by Prof Curtice found.
Only around one third of voters want a second referendum, "virtually all of them" remain voters. "Not much evidence of buyer's remorse," Prof Curtice said. "That means the UK is still divided pretty much down the middle over the arguments over the referendum."
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