Scottish independence: Majority of Scots back indyref2 within five years

A majority of Scots believe there should be an independence referendum in the next five years, a new poll has found.

But just 17 per cent say it should be held immediately in line with Nicola Sturgeon's for it this year, according to the YouGov survey of 2,587 Scots.

The survey also reveals that Scots remain split down the middle on independence, with a small majority which supports remaining in the UK (51 per cent), while 49 per cent back independence.

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The findings come from a poll of 2,587 adults between February 7-14, with much of the results revealed last week in a survey by the former Prime Minister.

Keith Brown says the momentum for independence is "unstoppable"Keith Brown says the momentum for independence is "unstoppable"
Keith Brown says the momentum for independence is "unstoppable"

It shows that 17 per cent say there should be a referendum immediately, while 23 per cent say it should be in 2021 or 2022, while 15 per cent say it should happen in the next five years.

A total of 42 per cent say no referendum should take place for 20 years or never at all.

“There is an unstoppable momentum behind a fresh independence referendum," he said.

"Scotland has been dragged out of the EU against our will by a Tory government and Prime Minister who have no mandate here - a government, which says ‘it doesn’t matter one jot’ what Scotland’s Parliament decides.

"Boris Johnson's contempt for Scotland knows no bounds, as he forces through a hostile approach to immigration that will devastate Scotland's health and care sector - potentially wiping out 1 in 5 small businesses in the process.

"The Tories are running scared of democracy but their opposition to a referendum is completely unsustainable.

“The SNP won a landslide victory at the general election on a cast-iron mandate to hold an independence referendum. The more Boris Johnson tries to ignore Scotland’s democratic mandate to choose our own future the more support for a fresh referendum – and for independence itself – will continue to grow.”

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Pro-union campaigners welcomed the small majority for remaining in the UK, after three recent polls showed a majority for independence.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “This is yet another poll showing there is no majority support for leaving the UK, despite the relentless daily campaign by the SNP.


“No matter how hard Nicola Sturgeon tries to tear communities apart, most people don’t want to break up the UK.


“The SNP will also be dismayed that over a third of former Yes voters now want to remain in the UK.


“People do not want a repeat of the constitutional chaos they have witnessed with Brexit and know that Scotland leaving the UK will not solve any of the challenges we now face.


“It would also involve scrapping the pound, committing to the euro, and risking a hard border with England."

Earlier this month Scotland’s biggest trade union, Unison, gave its backing to a fresh referendum – while three previous polls have called a narrow majority in support of independence.”