Record high public support for Scottish independence in new poll

Public support for Scottish independence has reached its highest ever point, according to new polling released today.

Respondents to the Ipsos MORI survey, conducted for STV, found that 58 per cent of voters would vote Yes in a fresh independence referendum, while just 42 per cent would vote No.

The poll also found that almost two thirds (64 per cent) of Scots said that the UK Government should allow another independence referendum to be held within the next five years if the SNP wins a majority of seats in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

Ipsos MORI also found that 47 per cent of Scots planned to vote for the SNP in next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, while just 19 per cent would vote for the Scottish Conservatives, 13 per cent for Scottish Labour, nine per cent for the Scottish Greens, and eight per cent for the Scottish Lib Dems.

Respondents to the Ipsos MORI survey, conducted for STV, found that 58 per cent of voters would vote Yes in a fresh independence referendum, while just 42 per cent would vote No.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s personal ratings were also found to be extremely high, with 72 per cent of the Scottish public saying they are satisfied with the job she is doing.

24 per cent of Scots were dissatisfied with Ms Sturgeon’s performance - giving her a “net” satisfaction rating of 49 per cent.

By comparison, three quarters (76 per cent) of Scots are dissatisfied with the way Boris Johnson is doing his job as Prime Minister - the lowest ratings Ipsos MORI has ever recorded for him in Scotland - while 19 per cent are satisfied with him.

Sir Keir Starmer is the only party leader other than Nicola Sturgeon to receive a positive net satisfaction rating from the Scottish public (16 per cent).

Ipsos MORI also found that 47 per cent of Scots planned to vote for the SNP in next year’s Scottish Parliamentary elections, while just 19 per cent would vote for the Scottish Conservatives, 13 per cent for Scottish Labour, nine per cent for the Scottish Greens, and eight per cent for the Scottish Lib Dems. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

44 per cent of Scots said they were satisfied with the way the Labour leader is performing, while 27 per cent were dissatisfied.

Emily Gray, Managing Director of Ipsos MORI Scotland, said: “Of course we are still a long way out from next May’s Holyrood elections, but SNP support currently looks very strong, buoyed by Nicola Sturgeon’s high satisfaction ratings among Scottish voters.

“Our poll suggests that there will be significant public pressure for the UK Government to transfer powers to the Scottish Parliament to hold a second independence referendum if the SNP win a majority at next year’s Holyrood elections.”

Commenting on the poll, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “This is a landmark poll which shows that independence has now become the settled will of the majority of people in Scotland.

“Faced with the chaotic and incompetent government of Boris Johnson and a Westminster system which treats Scotland as an afterthought at best, more and more people are deciding that the best way forward for Scotland is as an equal, independent country.

“And if there is a clear majority for pro-independence, pro-referendum parties in next year’s election – as this poll shows there would be by some considerable margin – then no Tory or any UK Government has the right to stand in the way.

“Quite simply, in those circumstances, the Tories would lack any moral or democratic authority whatsoever to try and block the will of the people, and it would not stand.

“Already, the Westminster wall of opposition to a referendum has started to crumble, with private acknowledgement that a result like this in next year’s election would have to lead to a referendum, and this poll will only solidify that growing view.

“The poll also shows strong support for the outstanding leadership of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, both among SNP supporters and the public as a whole, as she leads the country through the unprecedented crisis caused by the pandemic.

“The SNP takes absolutely nothing for granted and we will redouble our efforts between now and next year’s election to retain the trust of the people. But it is clearer than ever that Scotland’s future lies as an independent country.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director