Independence support remains steady as Scottish Tories slip to third place in Holyrood poll

A new poll has suggested support for independence is holding steady in favour of Yes should there be a second referendum.

Scottish Independence support has been measured at 54 per cent by a new poll

The survey, from Survation, has tended to be more cautious is its statement of support for independence in recent months but has seen a one point growth to 54 per cent who would vote Yes.

The SNP’s commanding lead in the polls ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary elections has also continued.

In the constituency vote, the SNP are seeing consistent support above the 50 per cent mark with the latest poll expecting 54 per cent of voters choosing the nationalists.

The Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour are neck and neck in the constituency vote meaning the unionist vote will likely be split.

In the Survation poll, the Tories received 19 per cent support and Labour received 18 per cent support.

The list prediction also projects a strong showing for the Scottish Greens with ten per cent of the vote, while the SNP vote drops to 43 per cent.

It is also the first time since a Survation poll in October 2018, with Ruth Davidson still leader of the Scottish Tories, that the unionist party have dropped into third place on the regional list on just 17 per cent, two points behind Scottish Labour.

Despite a new leader in Douglas Ross, it is also the lowest list support the party has registered since 2016.

Such a result would see the Tory presence drop by a third to 19 MSPs, with Labour becoming the second biggest party with 24 seats, and the SNP winning a majority with 70 seats, with 10 seats for the pro-independence Greens.

In response, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said the results showed the support for the Greens in recent polls was no fluke.

He said: “This is just the latest in a long line of polls showing Scottish Greens on course to elect a record number of MSPs in May. It’s clear that our constructive approach to opposition is appreciated by the public.

"From Scotland’s fairer tax system, to the reversal of unfair exam grades and free bus travel for young people from next year we’ve been working for Scotland to build a fairer and greener country, punching well above our weight and delivering time and time again."

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