THE latest in a series of polls to be released ahead of the anniversary of the referendum has found support for independence on a knife-edge.
A Survation poll for a newspaper found 51 per cent of Scots would vote No to independence compared to 49 per cent for Yes.
For those watching carefully for the “material change” that may trigger a referendum, the poll also put Scottish support for staying in the EU at 51 per cent. At the start of the month another Survation poll for the paper found support for leaving the EU at 51 per cent across the UK.
The paper also asked respondents about voting intentions for next May’s Scottish Parliament elections. The results, if replicated at the election, would see the SNP win a landslide victory. In the constituency vote 53 per cent said they would vote SNP, followed by 22 per cent for Labour, 14 per cent for the Tories, six per cent Liberal Democrat and five per cent other. In the list the vote would be split SNP 42 per cent; Labour 21 per cent; Tory 13 per cent; LibDem 6 per cent; Green 11 per cent; Ukip five per cent; Other one per cent.
A separate YouGov poll for another newspaper, also published yesterday, put the SNP on 51 per cent and Labour on 22 per cent in the constituency vote.
The second poll also asked voters to rate the party leaders. Support for the First Minister was strong, with 67 per cent saying she was doing a good job, against 28 per cent saying she was doing badly.
Voters were less pleased with David Cameron: 63 per cent think he is doing badly, and just 30 per cent think he is doing well. Those were only slightly worse than the results for Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale, whom 35 per cent think is doing badly compared to 20 per cent doing well.
For Ruth Davidson, 38 per cent of those responding thought she was doing well, and another 38 per cent badly.
Most questioned thought the Scottish opposition parties were poor at holding the Scottish Government to account. Shockingly for Labour, most people believe the Tories are better at this than they are.
SNP business convener Derek Mackay MSP said: “These polls are very encouraging news for the SNP. After a full eight years in administration, it shows that the party’s record of delivering in government is paying dividends with the public showing their trust in Nicola Sturgeon and her team.
“What these polls also make clear is that this is a real low point for Labour, with the Tories now considered more effective than Kezia Dugdale’s Holyrood group. After Ms Dugdale openly attacked Jeremy Corbyn and then cosied up to him when it became clear he would win the UK Labour leadership contest, it is clear that Labour remain deeply divided both north and south of the Border.
“We will be taking absolutely nothing for granted however, and will be working hard every day from now to next year’s election to retain the support of the people of Scotland – just as we have done every day since 2007.”
Ruth Davidson was pleased with how her party had done in the polls. “Labour is now a divided force across the UK, and a declining force across Scotland.” she said.
“Voters gave their verdict in May but, instead of listening to their concerns, Labour’s response has been to retreat to its own comfort zone with policies which don’t represent the values of Scotland’s majority.”
She added: “Scotland’s two million No voters need a strong voice at Holyrood and I’m determined to be that voice.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Scottish Labour is changing and politics is changing. Under the new leadership of Kezia Dugdale we are asking people to take another look at Scottish Labour.
“We have positive ideas to build a country where the potential of every child in every classroom is unlocked and we close the gap between the rich and the rest.”
Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “Patrick Harvie and I have worked hard to challenge the Scottish Government on key issues but have also sought to be constructive to take Scotland forward.”
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