Scottish independence: Poll says Indyref2 Yes vote at 50%

Half of Scots would back independence if a fresh referendum was held tomorrow, according to a new poll.

Support for yes isn a second independence referndum is at 50% according to new poll (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The survey, conducted by Ipsos MORI for STV, has shown a rise in support for independence as the Prime Minister prepares to trigger Britain’s exit from the European Union later this month.

Among those polled who said they know how they would vote and are very likely or certain to vote if a referendum was held now, 50% said they would vote Yes to independence while the other 50% said they would reject independence.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon dropped her heaviest hint yet that a second independence referendum could be held as soon as Autum next year.

Sturgeon: ‘Common sense’ for IndyRef2 to be held in 2018

It Mark Diffley, Ipsos MORI Scotland director, said: “There has been much recent speculation a bout if and when there will be a second referendum on Scottish independence.

“In the immediate aftermath of the EU Referendum vote last June there was an increase in support for independence, which ebbed away later in the year.

“This poll suggests some modest movement back towards independence since we last measured opinion six months ago. It will certainly provide the SNP with a lift ahead of their spring conference in Aberdeen next week.”