The majority of Scots ‘believe independence is a distraction’
More than half of Scots say that independence is a “distraction” from issues facing the country as the pandemic recovery continues.
And fewer than one in ten Scots say Holyrood and Westminster work well together, the Yougov poll found.
More than half of Scots say that independence is a “distraction” from the key issues facing the country as the fallout of the Coronavirus pandemic continues.
And fewer than one in ten Scots say Holyrood and Westminster work well together, with three-quarters of people saying there should be good relations between Edinburgh and Whitehall on the issues that affect peoples’ lives, according to a Yougov survey.
It comes after a separate poll released earlier this week showed support for independence among Scots now sits at a record 55 per cent and Nationalists insisted yesterday leaving the UK will see the creation of a “better Scotland.”
The latest research commissioned by the Scottish Fabians shows only 36 per cent of those surveyed said they consider independence ‘one of the most important issues facing the country’, and 52 per cent said it ‘distracts’ from other issues.
More than one in five of those who voted SNP in 2019 agree that independence is a distraction, while women (32 per cen) t in particular are much less likely than men (42 per cent) to see independence as an important issue.
Katherine Sangster, national manager of the Scottish Fabians, said: “The message to the SNP from this polling is clear: the majority of the Scottish people see independence as a distraction.
“While some polls have asked how people might vote should there be another referendum, this clearly shows that most Scots don’t see this as a priority.
“What people want is governments to focus on the issues that impact their lives, and they want to see more cooperation between Westminster and Holyrood.”
The poll of over 1,000 voters in Scotland also found and overwhelming majority of voters (76 per cent) want the Scottish and UK governments to work together on the issues that impact their lives, and only 8 per cent said the governments work well together.
It also found that 46 per cent of voters want the decision on any future referendum to be made jointly between the Scottish and UK governments, while 42 per cent believe the decision should lie solely with the Scottish Government.
Control over constitutional issues, like holding a referendum lies with the UK Government. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has so far ruled out agreeing to a repeat of the 2014 vote, echoing the claims of Alex Salmond at the time that this was a “once in a generation” event.
The SNP insist that the EU referendum in 2016, which saw a majority of Scots vote to remain in the EU, only to see the weight of votes south of the border result in Brexit being pushed through, represents a “material change” in circumstances to justify another vote on Scotland’s place in the UK.
But Ms Sangster added: “Scotland’s politicians from all parties should focus their energy and resources on making devolution work so that we can address the many serious challenges that the country is facing.
“The message for Scottish Labour is also clear – it must remain unequivocal on its pro-uk stance whilst setting out policies that will make a difference to the lives of Scots. Sitting on the fence on the constitution in Scotland is not an option.”
The research, which polled 1,134 adults in Scotland, between 28th – 30th July 2020, is part of a wider study by the Scottish Fabians which focuses on making Scottish devolution a success.
But it comes after a series of recent polls showing that independence now commands the support of a majority of Scots, with the latest Panelbase research this week suggesting the result of the 2014 referendum would be reversed with 55 per cent now wanting to leave the UK, while 45 per cent support the union. The SNP is on course for a resounding victory in next May’s Holyrood election which would increase the pressure on the Prime Minister to allow a referendum.
Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie said: “Six opinion polls in a row have shown an increasing majority of people in Scotland support independence.
“It’s entirely understandable that in the midst of a global pandemic and an associated economic crisis that people have other things on their minds right at this moment.
“What is entirely clear though is that by taking our future into our own hands we can leave Boris Johnson and his bungling Brexit project behind and build a better Scotland.”
But Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said the latest research shines light on the true priorities of the Scots.
“It is clear in poll after poll that people in Scotland want politicians to focus on what really matters – jobs, education and the NHS. If asked, people will give their views on the constitution, but only a minority believe it should be the government’s priority.
“Next year, voters deserve an election campaign that holds the SNP government to account for its failures in office and concentrates on economic recovery and the future of our public services – not a constitutional debate about how to divide Scotland.”