‘Breakaway bandwagon losing its momentum’

Support for independence is slipping, according to the latest polling evidence.

Barely a third (35 per cent) of Scots back separation, compared with 44 per cent in favour of the Union, according to the poll carried out by TNS-BMRB.

It shows support for an independent Scotland has fallen since a consultation on plans for a referendum was launched on 25 January. It also shows 21 per cent of respondents did not know which option they favoured.

These new figures show a fall of four points in favour of independence since the same question was asked last August. Then, 39 per cent were in favour of independence and 38 per cent opposed.

Chris Enyon, head of TNS-BMRB Scotland, said: “From the initial skirmishes, it would appear that the independence bandwagon has currently lost its momentum, in spite of the poll timing coinciding with the high-profile launch of the consultation in Edinburgh Castle on Burns Day.”

When the option of increased powers for Holyrood, known as “devo-max”, was offered in a separate question, support for outright independence dropped significantly, to about one in four of the population. About one in three backed devo-max, a similar position to last August.

A weekend survey, using the SNP’s favoured ballot question, indicated a massive boost for independence.