Scottish independence: white paper answers vow

But it came as a new opinion poll indicated that support for independence continues to flatline as the year-long countdown gets underway.

The Nationalist administration is to publish a white paper next month which will detail the look of an independent Scottish Scottish state, but former SNP Government advisor, Alex Bell, yesterday played down the impact it is likely to have.

Ms Sturgeon today told BBC Radio Scotland the Yes campaign’s positive vision will “win the day” against the scare tactics of the No side.

“I’m responsible in Government for the white paper and when the white paper is published in November, I know it will set out a strong case for independence and give the information and asnwers that they’re looking for and that they need to base they’re decision on,” she said.

“Don’t get me wrong it won’t convince the No campaign because the No campaign’s whole approach is based on making people uncertain and scared.

“The approach of the Yes campaign is to lift people’s sights, to inspire people and persuade people that if we grasp this opportunity, this once in a lifetime opportunity that Scotland has next year then we will give ourselves the powers to build a better country, a more prosperous country and a fairer country.

“It’s that vision that I think will win the day.”

But it came as a new poll by Progressive Scottish Opinion indicated that 59% of Scots will be voting No next year, with just 27% set to vote Yes, while 14% are undecided.

Perhaps just as worrying for the Yes side, the SNP’s lead at Holyrood has disappeared according to the poll for the Daily Mail conducted between last Friday and Monday among 1,051 adults.

The SNP sits at 25% in Holyrood voting intentions, 6 points behind Labour, with the Tories on 9% and the Liberal Democrats on 6%.