SNP poll shows support for independence

THE SNP claimed yesterday there had been a dramatic surge in the number of people supporting Scottish independence, after a poll showed 46 per cent were in favour of the move.

The TNS System Three survey found 39 per cent were opposed to independence, with the remaining 15 per cent undecided.

Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, said now that the people of Scotland had a real parliament building, they wanted a real parliament to meet inside it. Mr Salmond also offered to pay the 100 cost for Tony Blair to travel to several Labour marginal seats by bus, which he claimed Mr Blair had no plans to visit.

He claimed the Prime Minister was the biggest single liability for Labour in Scotland, adding: "I’m desperately anxious to see him in these marginal constituencies to galvanise the SNP vote."

Commenting on the poll, Mr Salmond said: "Independence is the big idea in Scottish politics and is now set to move to centre stage in this campaign.

"We have a chance to make Scotland’s parliament a powerhouse parliament.

"We don’t need more of the same from London politicians who either ignore Scotland or damage our interests. We need a Scottish Parliament that can make a real difference."

Mr Salmond said he was only aware of one other poll, conducted in 1998, which showed such strong support for an independent Scotland.

Mr Salmond said his bus ticket bribe would enable Mr Blair to visit Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness, Glasgow and Ullapool, as well as being able to take the ferry to Stornoway in the Western Isles.