'UK simply isn’t working for Scotland' as parties react to record independence support

Support for independence is becoming the “settled will” of the majority of Scots, the SNP have claimed, as political parties reacted to an exclusive The Scotsman/Savanta ComRes poll.

The poll, published this morning, puts support for independence at a joint record high of 58 per cent when don’t knows are excluded.

This drops to 52 per cent when don’t knows are included, with No support at 42 and 38 per cent for each respective figure.

Scottish independence support has been shown to be at joint record high levels

The SNP’s depute leader Keith Brown MSP said the poll was a reflection of the people of Scotland’s opinion of the Conservative UK Government and appealed for people to back the SNP in the Holyrood elections in May.

He said: “This poll – the 17th in a row with a clear majority for Yes – shows that independence is becoming the settled will of the majority of people in Scotland.

“Faced with an arrogant, out-of-touch Tory government at Westminster, which sidelines Scotland at every opportunity and is dragging Scotland out of the EU against our will, it's no surprise that people want a better future.

“Boris Johnson’s Trump-like bid to deny democracy will not stand. It is the people who live here who have the right to decide Scotland’s future - not Brexit-obsessed governments we don’t vote for led by the likes of Boris Johnson.

“The referendum that can deliver independence is only possible if people use both votes to back the SNP in May.”

The Scottish Greens, who would see a record 11 MSPs elected if the poll is representative of the final outcome, said the UK was “no longer working for Scotland”.

Co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “This welcome poll is just the latest in a long line which suggests that we can return a record number of Green MSPs in May.

"The public clearly appreciate the constructive approach to opposition adopted by our MSPs, which has seen us punch well above our weight and deliver bold and transformative policies like free bus travel for young people and a fairer tax system.

"We’ll continue to work constructively, pushing the government beyond its comfort zone, to build a fairer, greener Scotland.

“Whether it’s the botched handling of the coronavirus crisis, the Brexit catastrophe or the just the general heartlessness of the Tories, it’s clear that the UK simply isn’t working for Scotland.

"Scottish Greens will be key to delivering an independence majority and will go into the election with a clear commitment to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands, by holding an independence referendum."

The Scottish Conservatives said a “divisive” referendum was the “last thing Scotland needs”.

Douglas Ross’ party’s support is 25 points adrift of the SNP, with the poll also showing the party could lose eight MSPs in May.

A Tory spokesman said: “In the middle of a global pandemic and the devastation that it continues to cause, the last thing Scotland needs is a second divisive independence referendum.

“The Scottish Conservatives led by Douglas Ross are the only party with the strength to stand up to the SNP, protect Scottish jobs and move the country on from the divisions of the past."

A Scottish Liberal Democrat spokesperson added: "Scotland needs a needle-sharp focus on recovery. Urgent action is needed on jobs, health and education, not the distraction of another independence referendum."

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