THE latest poll on Scottish independence support has found the percentage of people who want to leave the Union at a record high for a second time.
The survey from Savanta ComRes, on behalf of The Scotsman, also puts the SNP on track for a decisive majority at next year’s Scottish Parliament election.
The party could win every constituency seat apart from one, the figures reveal.
With “don’t knows” removed, support for independence is at 58%, according to the polling company – the same figure was seen in an Ipsos MORI poll back in October. Including the “don’t knows” the poll shows Yes on 52% and No on 38%.
Forty per cent of people also want a new independence vote in the next two years, with 15% calling for one within five years and just 6% saying there should be a decade before a fresh referendum.
READ MORE: Martin Keatings submits 33-page reason for indyref2 without Westminster
About 12% say indyref2 should take place beyond a decade and 16% say there should never be another vote at all.
On Holyrood voting intention the SNP looks set to gain eight seats – taking them to 71 – while the Tories and Labour are on track to lose eight and five seats respectively.
The results are strong for the Scottish Greens too, who would gain five seats and take over from the LibDems as the fourth largest party in the Parliament.
Savanta ComRes associate director Chris Hopkins said the voting intentions are the “obviously the most striking parts of this poll”, with the SNP set to gain a majority “under a system designed to limit such executive power”.
He went on: "With the SNP’s likely hegemony in Scotland showing very little sign of abating, all evidence points at this stage towards Scotland voting Yes if they were granted another independence referendum and, on this evidence, it may not be that close.”
READ MORE: Why the Ipsos MORI independence poll is so encouraging for the Yes movement
Similarly to a recent STV poll, the survey also found the SNP are viewed as the most trustworthy party on a number of issues including the economy, jobs and education.
And Nicola Sturgeon’s net approval ratings are significantly higher than any of the other Scottish party leaders, sitting at 28%. Compared to Boris Johnson on -44%, she is 72 points ahead.
Douglas Ross is at -9% while Richard Leonard is at -18%. Nearly one in three voters said “don’t know” when asked if they felt favourably or unfavourably about the two.
The SNP have been contacted for comment.
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