IN what could be a seminal moment for the future - or lack of it - of the United Kingdom, a shock new poll published today shows that Conservative supporters in England are split down the middle on whether they want the Union to continue.
The independent YouGov poll organised by YesCymru, the non-party campaign for an independent Wales, suggests the end of the Conservative and Unionist Party is nigh, given that a massive 49% of Tory supporters want independence for England.
According to the survey, more than a third of people in England do not want the Union of the United Kingdom to continue. With don't knows and those who refused to answer removed, the polling has shown 35% of people in England now favour English independence – in line with several surveys of English opinion in recent years.
READ MORE: Support for Scottish independence soars to 54 per cent
Yet the most devastating finding in today’s new poll is that people in England identifying as Conservative supporters are evenly split on the subject with 49% saying they support independence against 51% who were opposed.
Political scientist Dafydd Trystan commented: “The polling evidence shows that a considerable minority of voters in England would vote to bring the United Kingdom to an end.
“The picture is even more interesting when one looks at the voters of different parties. Conservative and Unionist voters split evenly on the future of the UK with almost half being proponents of England going it alone.
“These findings accord with the lack of importance given to preserving the Union amongst Conservative voters in polling on Brexit and its impact on the relationship between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
While support in London remained relatively low at 25%, the north and midlands saw the number of those in favour hit 38%.
The over 65s were the age group most likely to vote for English independence with 48% in favour.
Siôn Jobbins, chair of YesCymru, said: "This poll, shows two interesting and important things.
“Firstly, that a significant minority of people in England, especially outside London, support an independent England.
“Secondly it shows that the support for an independent England comes from the polar opposite of support for Welsh and Scottish independence. Support for an independent England is among older people and people on the right whilst support for Welsh independence is mostly found among younger people and on the left.
“The problem for Wales is, despite having a parliament with some powers, we are still over ruled by a political party and ideology which is diametrically opposed to much of what the people of Wales believe in. Independence for England is the political elephant in the living room of British politics. Welsh independence is a way out for Wales."
The total sample size in the online poll was 1384 adults, with the fieldwork undertaken between June 17 and 18.
The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). All figures quoted are with don’t knows and those who refused to answer excluded.
The National will publish online the response of the SNP and Unionist parties as soon as we get it.
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