THE majority of Scots believe the power to hold a second independence referendum should be held by Holyrood over Westminster, according to a poll.
A sample of 1019 respondents across the country took part in the survey, which was conducted by Survation for polling and pro-independence think tank Progress Scotland from between January 20 and 22.
It found 61% of those who expressed an opinion believe the Scottish Parliament should ultimately decide on the holding of a future independence referendum while 39% believe it should be Westminster.
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Progress Scotland managing director Angus Robertson said: “There is a strong majority amongst voters in Scotland that it should be the Scottish Parliament that decides on the future holding of an independence referendum.
“Last week UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined the request from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for Holyrood to have the powers over such a vote.
“Scottish public opinion appears to be on the side of the Scottish Government and Parliament which has voted in favour of such a move.
“Not only is there strong support from SNP and Yes voters, but also from a significant minority of Labour and No voters.
“Progress Scotland will be doing further polling and research in 2020 on the views of open-minded and undecided voters on Scottish independence.
“This is particularly relevant given the Scottish Government mandate to hold a referendum and the approaching UK Brexit date, given that the biggest single factor that has been changing people’s minds on Scottish independence has been Brexit.”
A similar majority was found in a second question about whether Holyrood should have the power to decide when a future referendum is held if a pro-independence majority is elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021.
Amongst respondents expressing an opinion, 58% believe MSPs should have the power while 42% believe Westminster should.
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Progress Scotland’s independent polling adviser Mark Diffley added that the survey found that 90% of those who voted for the SNP at the General Election in December and 82% of those who voted Yes in 2014 were in favour of power transferring to Holyrood.
He added: “However, it is noticeable that 40% of Labour voters from 2019 and 28% of No voters from 2014 also support Holyrood having the power to decide on a referendum.”
He continued: “Similar results are apparent when voters are asked about the power to hold a referendum in the scenario that the Scottish Parliament returns a pro-independence majority after next year’s Holyrood election.
“In this situation, 50% think the Scottish Parliament should have the power to decide when an independence referendum is held, while 36% do not think so and 14% have no opinion. Among those with an opinion, this amounts to a 58%-42% majority in favour of Holyrood having that power.
“Again, Yes voters and SNP supporters overwhelmingly back Holyrood having this power, though it is noticeable that 39% of Labour voters and 27% of No voters back this proposition.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in December requesting the permanent transfer of powers from Westminster to Holyrood in order to hold a new independence referendum this year. However, Johnson rejected her request saying the 2014 referendum was a “once in a generation” event.
The First Minister will make her response and set out her next steps on Wednesday.
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