Scottish independence: Union support at 53% - poll

MORE than half of Scots want the country to remain part of the UK, while just over a third support independence, a new poll has suggested.

Support for independence has reached its highest level yet. Picture: Hemedia

The latest study by polling firm YouGov found 53 per cent of those surveyed wanted Scotland to continue as part of the UK.

Meanwhile 35 per cent of people questioned said that Scotland should be an independent country, according to the research for the Scottish Sun newspaper.

More than one in 10 voters (12 per cent) were undecided about how to vote in the September 18 referendum.

The poll found 56 per cent of women questioned backed the union, while 27 per cent of females favoured independence, with the remaining 17 per cent undecided.

Among men support for Scotland remaining in the UK was 48 per cent - only four points above support for a Yes vote (44 per cent). The other 8 per cent of men said they did not know how they would cast their vote.

The poll findings were welcomed by those campaigning for independence, as well as those who want Scotland to remain in the UK

Better Together leader and former Chancellor Alistair Darling said the poll showed that First Minister Alex Salmond’s “refusal to tell us what currency we would use if we left the UK is taking its toll” on the Yes campaign.

Mr Darling added: “While it is great that we speak for the majority of people in Scotland, we know that the only poll that matters is the one that takes place in September this year. We will fight for every vote.”

Blair Jenkins, chief executive of the pro-independence campaign group Yes Scotland, said: “All recent polls have shown that Yes support is going up while No is on the way down.

“Compared to last August, Yes is up seven points and No is down seven. Our positive message that Scotland is a rich and prosperous nation and has got what it takes to be a successful and fairer country, too, is convincing more and more people than we can and should and, indeed, must be an independent country.”

He added: “With more than six months to go until the vote, we are confident that with continued hard work we can persuade a majority that Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands is the right thing to do.”

The SNP said that when undecided voters were excluded, support for Yes was 40%, with the party adding it was the first time YouGov had recorded backing for independence at this level since the start of the referendum campaign.

SNP business convener Derek Mackay said: “This is a welcome poll, which confirms the progress that is being made towards securing a Yes vote in September.

“This is the first time that YouGov have put support for a Yes vote above 40% since the start of the referendum campaign.

“Just as with other recent polls, the direction of travel is firmly in favour of a Yes vote, and this is the sixth poll in a row to put Yes support in the 40s.”

He added: “There is a long way to go until 18 September, but the direction of travel in the polls is clear - Yes going up and No going down. And we will be working extremely hard to build on the momentum for Yes, and win the referendum so that Scotland’s future is in Scotland’s hands.”

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