More than half of Scots back independence, poll suggests

The historic union between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom is under threat once again after a shock poll found Scots would vote to break away in a new referendum.

Scotland might be independent if the vote was taken tomorrow.

53 per cent of Scottish voters would vote “Yes” while 44 per cent would vote “No”, with three per cent undecided which way they would vote, the survey suggests. “And there is no question that the great disrespect shown to Scotland in these proposals is likely to have more people asking whether Westminster is capable of representing Scotland’s interests at all”, she said.

The poll also shows the SNP are likely to have a majority government after next May’s Holyrood election, with a projected 74 out of 129 MSPs.

SNP business convener Derek Mackay said: “This is a sensational poll for the SNP”. But despite the nationalist defeat, the SNP gained momentum on the back of the result and transferred their support into 56 seats in the House of Commons at the 2015 general election.

Labour’s woes look set to continue, although new leader Kezia Dugdale was only elected to the post last month.

Labour are predicted to fare worse than four years ago, getting 20% of the constituency vote and 20% of the list vote.

According to the poll, the party would win just 26 seats, ahead of 15 for the Tories, eight for the Greens and six for the Lib Dems.

The party would get 55% of the constituency vote and 50% of the list vote, both up from their performance in the 2011 election when they formed a majority Scottish government for the first time.

But a Scottish Labour spokesman insisted the party are changing.

“The poll highlights the significant challenges facing new Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale; Labour is far behind the SNP on the key battleground policies for next year and there is no sign yet that they are making up any ground”.

“Over the coming months, we will put Labour’s values first and we will focus on the things that matter in people’s lives – like the standards in our schools and our hospitals”.

He added: “Rather than revelling in this poll, the SNP needs to focus on the day job”.

Half of those questioned for STV said they would like to see another referendum within five years while 58% said they would be in favour of having one in the next 10 years.