Almost a quarter of Scots are undecided how they will vote in next year’s referendum on independence, according to new polling.
Almost a quarter of Scots are undecided how they will vote in next year’s referendum on independence, according to new polling.
The data compiled by TNS BMRB shows that with less than a year to go, of those certain to vote, 29 per cent support independence and 47 per cent back the Union. But 24 per cent said that they remain undecided.
The findings show also that Scots are eager for more information before casting their votes.
49 per cent said that they want further information on the future of the economy and jobs; 37 per cent want further information on pensions and benefits; 31 per cent on taxes and 22 per cent on immigration.
Commenting on the findings, Tom Costley, head of TNS Scotland said:
“Having previously highlighted that many feel they are lacking information, this poll clearly shows that the financial issues are of greatest concern to the voters.
“The high number of don’t-knows suggests that both sides need to do much more to ensure that people are confident about the implications of their vote for their financial future.”
Declaring the findings as a sign that there is all still to play for, Blair McDougall, campaign director of Better Together, said of the results:
“A year-and-a-half into the campaign, independence remains a minority view in Scotland. Indeed, this poll today has support for Scotland going it alone lower than it has generally been for decades.
“With so many people yet to make up their mind, it is clearly still all to play for. We will campaign hard every day between now and the referendum to make our positive case that we are stronger and better together.
“People rightly want more information about the consequences of separation on pensions, benefits, mortgages and savings. It isn’t good enough for Alex Salmond to tell us that everything will be all right on the night. People in Scotland deserve facts, not more baseless assertions.”
The pro-independence, Yes Scotland campaign meanwhile has said that it will be redoubling its efforts in light of the substantial number of floating voters. A spokesperson for the campaign commented:
“We know from our own research, which is far more exploratory and detailed than conventional binary polling, that the more people learn about the benefits of independence the more likely they are to vote Yes.
“We also know that most Scots want decisions over vital issues such as taxation, pensions and welfare to be taken in Scotland rather than at Westminster. That’s because they realise that Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands is a much better choice than sticking with a broken and discredited Westminster system that isn’t working for Scotland.
“As this poll and others would suggest, between a fifth and a third of voters have yet to decide how to vote and, between now and the only poll that really counts next September, we will be doubling our efforts to provide people with all the quality information they need to help them make a properly informed decision.”
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4 Responses to “Quarter of Scots undecided on independence”
Trispw
Surely that is as it should be. The campaign has not begun yet and intelligent people are not listening to the war of lies that is going on at the moment. They are waiting for the government white paper and the campaigning after that, when the BBC will be contractually obliged to stop its bias and the news will be disseminated with a moduicum of truth in it.
Julian
“between a fifth and a third of voters have yet to decide how to vote”
I love it. Most people would call 24% a quarter.
eireanne
isn’t the SNP going to publish a document shortly explaining their point of view in depth? That should stimulate the debate and help the “undecideds” to make up their minds
uglyfatbloke
I think I’d refer to 24% as a quarter too, though to be fair the number has varied a lot in different polls and I’m told there may be a major issue with sampling practices so who knows what’s really going on?
The BBC will continue to support Better Together – check out the Youtube film where Andrew Neill and Brian Taylor are briefing BBC journalists. There’s little chance of the Yes campaign winning, but there is a fair chance that Better Together will blow it. They’ve got plenty of options, but so far virtually every story they’ve raised has turned out to be either dubious or just plain wrong.
Whether the gnats’ White Paper will actually help their cause is open to question, but the referendum is still a long way from being won or lost.