INDY HITS HIGH
Poll shows 55% in favour of UK breakaway
SUPPORT for Scottish independence is at its highest level for a year, according to an opinion poll.
The latest poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori for STV, reveals that 55 per cent of those asked in the survey backed Scotland breaking away from the United Kingdom.
Of the 1107 adults asked aged 16 and over from across the country between November 22 and 29, 45 per cent said they would vote No in a constitutional vote.
Backing for independence has risen by five percentage points compared with a similar survey conducted before the Scottish Parliament election in May.
It is the highest level of support for independence since November last year.
Participants were also asked their views on political leaders across the United Kingdom.
Boris Johnson’s ratings are at their lowest level ever, with just 16 per cent of people satisfied with his performance.
Four in five (80 per cent) were dissatisfied with the job he is doing as Prime Minister.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon remains the highest rated party leader in Scotland, with 58 per cent saying they are satisfied and 38 per cent revealing they are dissatisfied with her performance.
Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader, fared well with 45 per cent satisfied with his performance and 28 per cent dissatisfied.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross was the least popular Holyrood leader, with just over half of the people (51 per cent) surveyed dissatisfied with his performance. Twentyfour per cent said they were satisfied.
Commenting on the survey, SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “I welcome this extremely encouraging poll that shows the majority of people in Scotland would back Scotland choosing a better future as an independent country.
“The people of Scotland – not a Tory government they didn’t elect – have the right to decide their own future and following the election in May there is a clear, substantial majority in the Scottish Parliament for a fresh referendum once the Covid crisis has passed.
“More and more people in Scotland are becoming sick of Tory governments, led by the likes of Boris Johnson, taking Scotland in the wrong direction with their disastrous hard Brexit and policies which will plunge children into poverty.
“The evidence shows that for countries of Scotland’s size, independence works.”
Pam Nash, chief executive of the campaign group Scotland in Union, insisted previous polls had shown “consistent support” for Scotland remaining part in the UK.
She added: “Clearly the constitutional question divides the people of Scotland, which is why it would be reckless for any political party to exploit that division when the entire focus should be on what really matters to people – the NHS, education, jobs and the climate emergency.”