‘Loathed’ Boris Johnson main reason for swing to Yes as new poll continues trend of support for independence

Boris Johnson and his leadership is the most persuasive reason Scots are choosing to back Scottish independence, new polling has said.

Boris Johnson is the main driver of support for Scottish independence, a new poll has found

It comes as support for independence reached 56 per cent with don’t knows excluded, in line with the recent surge in support for independence but below the high of 58 per cent earlier this month.

The new poll, undertaken by Theresa May’s head of polling, James Johnson for Politico, adds that the most persuasive argument for voters is “Boris Johnson is not the leader I want to have for my country”, a view agreed with by 79 per cent of swing voters.

The poll also found that 84 per cent of swing voters thought the UK government has handled the Covid-19 pandemic poorly, compared to 74 per cent who say the Scottish government have handled it well.

For unionists the fact 53 per cent of swing voters believe it would be wrong to delay a second independence referendum if the SNP win a majority at the Holyrood election in May will be worrying.

Polling shows delaying the referendum indefinitely wouldn’t work, with Mr Johnson, the polling expert behind the new figures, saying a referendum timetabled for 2024 or beyond likely to have support.

‘Having a referendum during the coronavirus pandemic would be wrong’ is the most effective argument, with a net support of 48 per cent.

Mr Johnson told Politico: “It is hard not to look at these figures and assume the Union is doomed. It is certainly the gravest situation the Unionist cause has found itself in in recent history,”

“The chancellor has a net rating of +30 with Scottish swing voters, higher than Keir Starmer, Gordon Brown, Alex Ferguson, and even the Queen.

“Ruth has lost some of her popularity since she stepped down, but still gets a positive judgement from voters. No. 10 should lock away Boris, and put up Rishi and Ruth.

“In focus groups [Boris Johnson] is not just criticised in the way David Cameron and Theresa May were but loathed.”

Responding to the poll, the SNP’s depute leader Keith Brown said any attempts to delay a referendum would be “utterly unsustainable”.

He said: “The Westminster parties' undemocratic attempt to deny the people of Scotland the right to choose their own future in a fresh referendum is now utterly unsustainable.

“The Westminster government clearly can’t be trusted to act in Scotland’s interests. In the middle of a global pandemic and economic recession, the Tories have unbelievably decided to impose a disastrous hard Brexit on Scotland which will hit jobs hard.

“Scotland must have the chance to escape this Westminster mess and choose a better future as an equal independent, European nation - and that right lies solely with the people of Scotland.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “In the middle of a global pandemic, the last thing Scotland needs is a second divisive independence referendum.

“We are appalled that several SNP ministers, including their constitution minister Mike Russell, have suggested holding another referendum next year.

“The Scottish Conservatives led by Douglas Ross are the only party with the strength to stand up to the SNP and move Scotland on from the divisions of the past.”

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