Scottish independence: New poll suggests Yes four points ahead after Supreme Court ruling

A new poll has suggested support for Scottish independence is strong, a week after the Supreme Court ruled the Scottish Parliament could not legislate for a referendum without Westminster approval.

The Redfield & Wilton Strategies poll of 1,000 people finds 49 per cent of Scottish respondents would vote yes and 45 per cent no if there were to be a referendum tomorrow, with 5 per cent saying they did not know.

Support for independence was higher than a comparable poll on September 18 last year when 44% of respondents said they would vote yes while 47% said they would vote no.

The latest poll, of 1000 Scottish voters, also found that 46% said they would support a referendum on Scottish independence being held in the next year, while 43% would oppose one, 9% said they would neither support nor oppose the prospect and 2% said they didn’t know.

Independence supporters gather in Glasgow on Saturday in light of Supreme Court decision on a second referendum. PIC: Lisa Ferguson.

The SNP said the poll showed a majority for yes in every age group under 65, with a majority of 52 per cent supporting independence when excluding don't knows.

The poll also found that if a second referendum were to be held in Scotland in the next six months, 43% of respondents expect the yes side would win, while 39% said no would win and 18% said they don’t know.

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said: “This poll shows growing support for what the people of Scotland expressed in the 2021 election, they want a choice to become an independent nation.

“The chaos at Westminster in recent months has tanked the UK economy, accelerated inflation and crippled household budgets with soaring mortgages, all from successive Tory governments that Scotland didn’t elect.

“Last week’s ruling showed clearly that the UK is not a voluntary union.

“In a democracy, it is right for the people to have their say and neither the Tories or Labour should be able to deny that.

“The message to Westminster parties now is clear, Scottish democracy cannot be denied.”