Poll: Majority of Scots don't want Indyref2 in next five years

A majority of Scottish voters are opposed to a second referendum on independence in the next five years, a new poll has found.

Nicola Sturgeon speaking at the launch of an analysis paper on Scotland's future relationship with Europe, at the University of Edinburgh. Picture: PA

54 per cent of respondents answered ‘No’ to the question: “Should there be another independence referendum in the next five years” while just 36 per cent answering yes.

The poll, carried out by Yougov for the Times, also found that support for independence had fallen slightly since October, with 43 per cent backing Scotland going its own way, compared to 57 per cent who back the status quo.

Nicola Sturgeon speaking at the launch of an analysis paper on Scotland's future relationship with Europe, at the University of Edinburgh. Picture: PA

It is another blow to Nicola Sturgeon’s ambitions for an independent Scotland, which many expected would receive a boost in support following the Brexit referendum of June 2016, when Scotland voted to Remain but the UK as a whole voted to Leave.

Support for Ms Sturgeon’s preferred option, a referendum after the Brexit negotiations but before the UK leaves the EU, was even lower, with 35 per cent supporting a referendum on those terms, with 51 per cent opposed.

47 per cent opposed a referendum after the UK had left the EU, while 36 per cent were in favour. The ‘don’t know’ responses were higher on that option, with 17 per cent unsure of their stance.

Nicola Sturgeon speaking at the launch of an analysis paper on Scotland's future relationship with Europe, at the University of Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Today’s poll also showed that the SNP would be set to lose seats at Holyrood and Westminster if elections to either were held tomorrow.

Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC at the weekend that she would make a decision on whether to hold another independence referendum by the end of 2018.