A NEW survey has revealed that 59% of Scots are now more convinced that Scotland will be well-governed if it becomes an independent country than they were before the coronavirus outbreak.
The Panelbase poll by ScotGoesPop is the fourth in a series assessing changing attitudes to independence.
The latest findings are in response to two questions posed about the Scottish and UK governments’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the first, respondents were asked whether the handling of the coronavirus crisis by Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government made them more confident or less confident that Scotland will be well-governed if it becomes independent.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour 'prefer Johnson as PM' to letting Scots decide own future
59% of all respondents said they were more confident, and only 22% said they were less confident. Those who were more confident included an outright majority of people who voted Labour in the General Election and 19% of Conservative voters, who said they now have more faith now that an indy Scotland will be competently run. James Kelly, of the ScotGoesPop political blog, said that the results from No voters from the 2014 independence referendum were especially interesting and suggested that views were far from entrenched.
A total of 39% were more confident that Scotland would be better governed, while 36% were less confident. Yet a quarter of respondents who say they would vote No in a new indyref were more confident.
In a second question, respondents were asked whether the handling of the pandemic by Boris Johnson and the UK Government had left them more convinced or less convinced that Scotland is safer if it remains part of the UK.
The results of the second question were “a reverse mirror” according to Kelly, with just 20% saying they were more convinced and 59% saying they were less convinced of Scotland being safer sticking with the Union.
READ MORE: SNP say case for independence 'growing stronger' after new poll
41% of No voters from 2014 were less convinced and only 29% were more convinced. However here a clear majority of Tory voters said the performance of the UK Government in recent weeks had left them even more certain of Scotland’s safety.
Writing in the Sunday National (below), Kelly said of the results: “The combination of a perception that London has bungled its response to the pandemic, and a sense that Edinburgh has been reacting very efficiently, looks like a perfect storm for Unionism.
“Although there has only been a 2% increase in the headline support for independence, there are solid reasons for believing that the boost is genuine, and that underlying shifts in attitudes leave considerable scope for further progress.”
Yesterday the National revealed that the same survey suggested support for Scottish independence is now at 52%. It is the second such poll this year to indicate a Yes majority and was carried out in the wake of the Dominic Cummings scandal.
The findings were in response to the question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”
The poll also suggested that 18% of No voters from 2014 would now vote in favour of independence.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here