‘STRIKING” new poll findings confirm 75% of Scots would back independence if they’re convinced that will benefit the economy, The National can reveal.
The figure is yet more evidence that the economy is central to bringing more people from No to Yes – and comes after Better Together hammered home doubts about the country’s future finances in its “Project Fear” pre-poll onslaught in 2014.
The new findings are revealed in the latest disclosure from Progress Scotland and come on the back of “super-survey” results that show an “overwhelming” shift towards independence.
Progress Scotland engaged respected polling firm Survation to quiz more than 2000 people on Europe, the economy and more.
READ MORE: New independence poll shows Scotland should have control of decisions that affect it
The think tank’s founder and managing director Angus Robertson said the findings should serve as a“warning to Westminster”. They include new polling over Europe, with three-quarters of respondents agreeing that the Scottish Government and Parliament should have control over the country’s relationship with the European Union.
Meanwhile, more than half of those asked – 57% – agreed independence would be good for the Scots economy in the long term.
And 74% said Holyrood should have control over all decisions affecting people here – regardless of which political party is in power.
Robertson said: “Public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of Scotland deciding its own relationship with the European Union.
“The fact that nearly three-quarters back the Scottish Parliament and Government making future decisions is a big warning to Westminster which is ploughing on with Brexit which was opposed by 62% of voters in Scotland
“As we already know from previous polls Brexit has had a huge impact on many people moving from opposition to now supporting independence as a way of protecting Scotland’s place in Europe.
“The fact that 75% would vote for independence if they were convinced that it would be good for the Scottish economy is remarkable and should encourage the pro-independence side in making the economic case to help grow support ahead of the next independence referendum.”
The findings from the super-sized poll have already revealed that almost one-third of Scots who voted against independence in 2014 have changed their mind and are either unsure or would vote Yes if asked a second time.
Almost twice as many No voters have moved to Yes than have in the opposite direction and most people asked – 64% – believe that the election of a pro-independence majority in next year’s Holyrood contest should be treated as a mandate for another referendum on the constitution.
The wide-ranging questions were set by independent polling advisor Mark Diffley – former director of Ipsos MORI Scotland – who also sets out his full analysis in The National today.
They also include a section on defence and foreign affairs affecting Scotland. Only half said these should rest in the hands of the UK Government in London.
Most disagreed with the suggestion that independence “would be more damaging to the Scottish economy than Brexit”.
On currency options for an independent Scotland, 54% prefer keeping the pound in the long term.
Another 19% said they’d back starting with the pound and switching to a new Scottish currency “when economic tests have been met”, in line with the policy of the SNP. Just 10% would rather join the euro.
Fieldwork for the survey was conducted online from September 25 to October 5.
Robertson, the former depute leader of the SNP and architect of the 2014 campaign, said: “Earlier parts of the poll have already been released which reflect how much opinion is changing in Scotland and impacting on views towards Scottish independence.
“The poll has already established that the highest-ever percentage of voters in Scotland now believe that there would be a Yes victory if a referendum were held tomorrow and that one-third of 2014 No voters have changed their minds to Yes or are not sure how they would vote.”
Progress Scotland was founded in 2018 and is paid for by subscribers. Robertson said: “Because of the way Progress Scotland commissions research, we have an ever-growing pool of open-minded and undecided voters who we are able to work with to understand their needs, interests and expectations.
“No other research organisation does this and it is an invaluable resource.”
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel