Scottish independence referendum: Poll shows most Scots say Yes to devo-max but No to independence
Alex Salmond would prefer only Scots on the electoral roll to vote.Picture: Phil Wilkinson
THE overwhelming majority of Scots favour “devo-max”, or full economic powers for Holyrood, but oppose outright independence, according to an opinion poll.
A total of 58 per cent of those interviewed support Westminster handing all tax and fiscal power to the Scottish Parliament, with 42 per cent against, according to the poll of 1,026 adults for YouGov-Channel 4.
Former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish, a prominent supporter of devo-max – which would leave only defence and foreign affairs reserved to Westminster – welcomed the poll. He said: “This shows that the vast majority of Scots want to reject independence but want a new deal for Scotland to stay within the Union.”
The poll’s three-to-two margin against independence is in line with most other results in recent years, with the latest survey showing 39 per cent backing a split with the UK, with 61 per cent against.
But there was also a surge in support for the SNP, with the party gaining 17 points on the 2010 general election, to reach 37 per cent for Westminster voting intentions. Labour was down seven points, at 35 per cent, while the Tories remained at 16 per cent and the Lib Dems were sharply down at 7 per cent.
The poll showed 44 per cent backing for allowing the Scottish Government to take charge of the independence referendum, on issues such as the timing of the vote and the wording of the ballot paper. However, 39 per cent said Holyrood and Westminster should negotiate on the referendum.
There also 46 per cent support for allowing a third option – devo-max – in the referendum, while 43 per cent said there should be a straight Yes or No to independence.
SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said: “The poll confirms the big thumbs-down from the people of Scotland for Westminster trying to dictate the terms of the referendum.”
Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that senior Liberal Democrats want the option of devo-max for Holyrood to be put before all UK voters at the 2015 general election rather than simply be included as a question in an independence referendum.
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Comments
There are 203 comments to this article
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samcoldstream
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 08:30 PMDevo-Max? Another name for Federalism.
Family guy
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 01:24 PM201 Nope. Wee Cameron and his party commanded even less of a % of the votes that Salmond and his party gained. So no, Wastemonster should be the last establishment to be involved and the setting of the question(s) should be put to consultation given the feeling surrounding devo max.
davidjames
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:13 AMAnother day and another grenade is lobbed into Gordon Lamb House. Thankfully the UK government can and should prevent the First Minister fixing the franchise, fixing the question and fixing the timing to allow him to cling to power, however the people might vote. The SNP were brought into power on at best 45% of the vote and command far less support for independence. In the 2010 General Election the SNP won 20% of the Scottish vote. So lets stop wasting time and get on with it. Are we in or out, yes or no?
Buford Van Stomm
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 11:01 AM197 Brit-free ==================================================== bookmarked........see you in devomaxland.
Penny Dainty
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:26 AM"The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object" (Thomas Jefferson). Devo max please.
gus1940
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 08:26 AMThe headline could have more accurately read 'A massive majority of Scots oppose the status quo or abolition of the Scottish Parliament'.
Brit-free
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:53 AMthis is the Master Tacticians masterstroke .....most people want it , but the chances that the dopey unionists stop their usual internecine ferret sacking long enough to cobble together some indescribably convoluted dogs dinner are remote indeed the confusion that he has sown in the unionist ranks , to the extent that some thickies are describing it as " Jowly Ecks secretly preferred option "... illustrates just what kind of advantage a long game politician has over the amateurs he has found in his way .........either the synthetic confection will not stand forensic examination .....leaving the 12 % shortfall we require to achieve our aims with no where left to go ....or it will not even be included ....so out of touch are the Wastemonster Dinos ....mark my words ....the S N P will NOT bring forward such an option ...if they do it will be fatally boobytrapped
Peter Dow
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:44 AMStill pushing hard on DevoMax's chest to the beat of "Stayin' Alive" ..
AM2
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:41 AMAnd meanwhile the NATS still hold a commanding lead in the Holyrood poll and lead Labour on Westminster voting intentions.
Peter Dow
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:35 AMPythonesque dead devomax parrot "only resting"
Peter Dow
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:33 AMWhit nae slashes? SCOT.TK -slash - DEBATE
Peter Dow
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:32 AMOh quit flogging the devo-max dead horse will ya? http:SCOT.TK - Scottish National Standard Bearer website http:SCOT.TKDEBATE - For Freedom Forums for robust political debate
Miliband's British Defence League
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:22 AM181 Cynicus Monday, January 16, 2012 at 11:49 PM #Wardog: Should there also be a question on Devo-Plus ______________________________________________________ Just-how many deviants, sorry deviations of the Union have thosen desperate Britishers dreamed up? Devo-? Status Quo? Devo+? Devo Max? Devo Lite? None of then suggested by any of the independence parties in Scotland.
whitstomatowiu
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:17 AMCyncius,----------------------------- "Trio of plonkers on tv tonight unanimous that Tom Harris should resign"-----------------------------------------Was that Johann Lamont ,Ed Milliband and who was the third?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So much for- what Spud Murphy and Sarah Boyak said that the new Labour Leader had full control of all decisions in Scotland-------------------------Ed demanded the Bomber's head and he got it ---------------Scottish Labour roll over
Scouse Dave
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 12:08 AMCan one of you smug lovers come up with the reason why you prefer devo max rather than full independence. Give you 24 hours to come to terms with the truth.........go on dog. Whats the answer......?
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