THE UK Government could support a second Scottish independence referendum if polling consistently shows 60% of Scots support having one, the Scottish Secretary has said.
Alister Jack’s statement is the first time a UK Government minister has defined conditions for backing another vote on Scottish independence.
Speaking to Politico, Jack said support for having a referendum – rather than independence itself – would have to be at 60% for a “reasonably long period”.
His comments come after Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the UK Government would not stand in the way of a second referendum if it was the “settled will” of the Scottish people.
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Asked what would constitute the “settled will”, Jack said: “If you consistently saw 60% of the population wanting a referendum – not wanting independence but wanting a referendum – and that was sustained over a reasonably long period, then I would acknowledge that there was a desire for a referendum.
“Anyone can see that.
“But that’s not where we are and it’s not how I perceive things to be.
“I think I’m broadly where the public are, which is that now is not the time to be having a referendum.
“We’ve had one, we’ve made our decision, let’s get on and rebuild the economy and rebuild people’s lives.”
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The most recent published opinion poll on whether there should be a referendum was conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on August 4 and 5.
It found 42% support holding a referendum more than a year away but within five years, while 40% said they oppose having one in this timescale.
Voting intention gave the No side a lead of 3%.
Jack's comments come after Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Green leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater entered into a co-operation agreement, with part of the their pledge being to hold another poll on the constitution within the next parliamentary term.
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The First Minister has said she wants to have an independence referendum within the next five years, preferably by the end of 2023.
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