THE latest Scottish independence poll marked yet another milestone for the Yes movement.
Carried out by Savanta ComRes for the Scotsman, it was the 21st consecutive survey to record majority support for Yes.
A total of 1002 adults aged 16 or over were interviewed online between February 4 and 9.
Some 47% of respondents said Scotland should be an independent country, with 42% opposed.
When don’t knows are excluded, 53% backed Yes, while 47% backed No.
READ MORE: Stunning new poll records majority support for Scottish independence
The research also showed the SNP were on track to win a landslide in May’s Holyrood election, with the pro-independence Greens on course to win a record-breaking number of seats.
Now, Savanta ComRes has published more insights from the study. This is what we’ve learned.
Women for indy
In the 2014 referendum, men were more likely to vote Yes than women.
But recent polls have suggested that the trend has been eliminated.
According to the Savanta ComRes survey, 58% of women would back independence were a referendum to be held tomorrow, when don’t knows are removed.
Noting this trend last year, polling expert Professor John Curtice said: “It may be the case that a narrow majority of men voted Yes in 2014 and either way the No victory appeared to rest heavily on the support of women – who perhaps were more averse to what they considered to be the risks of independence.
“Now, the picture appears to be rather different.”
Youth surge
Support for independence has been consistently high among young Scots in recent years and it seems there’s little prospect of that changing.
But it’s not just the country’s youth that are backing Yes in their droves.
Across all age groups up to the 45-54-year-olds category, a healthy majority are in favour of independence.
READ MORE: SNP urged to hold vote on independence strategy at spring conference
Once undecided voters are removed, support for independence is as follows according to the Savanta ComRes survey: 16-24: 72% 25-34: 66% 35-44: 65% 45-54: 59% 65+: 35%
Cross-party support
The Savanta ComRes poll also shows a wide range of voters back Yes.
The research found particularly interesting results among those who backed Labour and the LibDems in the 2019 General Election.
Some 34% of Labour voters would choose independence, while 23% of LibDems would do likewise, once undecided voters are excluded.
Unsurprisingly, 89% of SNP voters would back Yes, while just 4% of Conservatives would. Some 44% of voters for other parties would also opt for independence.
Regional breakdown
Support for Scottish independence also seems to be widespread geographically.
The latest research shows there is only one region with a large majority for No, in South Scotland – 63% No compared to 37% Yes, once don’t knows are removed.
It’s closer in the North East (54% No, 46% Yes) and West (53% No, 47% Yes).
But in four of the five other regions cited by the Savanta ComRes pollsters, independence supporters make up the majority, with the other region neck and neck.
Glasgow: 65% Yes Lothian: 62% Highlands/Islands: 56% Central: 55% Mid Scotland and Fife: 50%
To read the results of the poll in full, click here.
In the coming weeks, only subscribers will be able to comment on The National articles. Subscribe now or log in to make sure you stay a part of the conversation.
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. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
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 conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 10,000 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.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Report This Comment