Poll shock for SNP as Scots turn against independence
SUPPORT for Scottish independence has fallen to its lowest level in eight months amid a growing ‘division’ in the SNP.
A poll has revealed that Nicola Sturgeon would fail to break up the UK in a divisive referendum, with only 43 per cent of Scots prepared to vote Yes.
The survey found 44 per cent of people back the Union and with ‘don’t knows’ removed, the result would be a 50:50 split.
It is the first in 22 consecutive polls since June to go against the Nationalists.
And it represents a huge dip from a Survation poll in October that showed support for separation at 58 per cent.
The past week has seen a backlash against Nicola Sturgeon’s lockdown easing strategy, when she failed in her announcement to give large sectors of the economy dates to fully reopen.
The poll results also come on the back of a continuing split within the SNP over the Alex Salmond debacle.
It was conducted in the days leading up to the former First Minister’s appearance at the Holyrood inquiry, when he suggested Miss Sturgeon was not fit to lead Scotland to independence and the country had been failed by its leaders.
And it followed the furore over the publication of Mr Salmond’s evidence to the inquiry, which is examining the Government’s botched probe into complaints against him.
His evidence – accusing Miss Sturgeon of breaching the ministerial code – was initially published, before being pulled in a legal wrangle.
Pamela Nash, the chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: ‘It’s welcome that support for remaining in the UK is on the rise. People are recognising, as we navigate out of the Covid crisis with a successful UK-wide vaccination programme, that we are stronger together.
‘The SNP is obsessed with trying to divide Scotland but the priority should be working together on a recovery for everyone in the country.’
According to the Survation poll of 1,000 adults for the Sunday Mail, when undecided voters are removed, support evens out at 50 per cent.
When undecided voters are included, however, Yes loses its lead by 44 per cent to 43 per cent, with 13 per cent of people saying they do not yet know how they would vote.
A Survation poll for the Scot Goes Pop blog in January gave independence supporters a 51 per cent to 49 per cent edge.
The poll will bring hope for Unionists, who have watched as support for independence has grown since their referendum win in 2014 with 55 per cent of the vote.
The news comes after days dominated by the evidence of former First Minister Alex Salmond before the Scottish parliament committee on the Scottish Government handling of harassment complaints.
Mr Salmond has previously accused some in the highest echelons of the SNP of engaging in a ‘malicious and concerted’ effort to exclude him from public life, claims he repeated during a six-hour committee appearance.
Fieldwork for the poll was conducted on Thursday, the day before Mr Salmond appeared before the inquiry, but 39 per cent of those asked, according to the Sunday Mail, said they believe there was some sort of ‘cover-up’ in the Scottish Government’s handling of the complaints.
Some 50 per cent said Miss Sturgeon should resign if she is found to have broken the ministerial code in a separate
‘We are stronger together’ ‘Fighting like ferrets in a sack’
inquiry led by James Hamilton, QC, an independent adviser.
A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said only they could ‘prevent an SNP majority, stop another divisive referendum and get the Scottish parliament 100 per cent focused on rebuilding Scotland’.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond are fighting like ferrets in a sack, but the divisions run through the SNP. It is beyond them and infecting the whole party.
‘People need honesty and accountability in their politicians. Sadly, we have seen little of that from the SNP in recent weeks and months.’
SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: ‘With the election fast approaching, polls are tightening. The SNP believes Scotland’s future should be decided by the people of Scotland, not Boris Johnson.’