New surge in support for Scottish independence

A surge in support for the Yes campaign has come at the same time as some question Alistair Darling's leadership

A surge in support for the Yes campaign has come at the same time as some question Alistair Darling’s leadership

New polling has pointed to a dramatic upsurge in support for Scotland becoming an independent nation. With just a little over 2 weeks to go until polling day, YouGov’s figures show that when those who say they won’t vote and those they say don’t know how they will vote are excluded, support for independence stands at 47%, up from 39% in a similar poll at the start of August.

Support for Scotland remaining within the union now stands at 53%, down from 61% at the start of last month, and giving the no campaign a lead of just 6%.

Interestingly, the figures suggest that some in the Better Together Campaign might well have been right earlier this year to be questioning the role of Alistair Darling leading the effort to keep Scotland in the Union.

According to today’s polling, just 28% of Scots feel that he “has done better than anyone else could have at leading the No campaign”, compared to 52% who feel that “there are other people available who would have done a better job at leading the No campaign.”

In contrast, 45% feel Alex Salmond has been the best person to lead the pro-independence campaign, compared to 37% who disagree.

Whilst urging caution about reading too much into one poll, Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University has written:

“Of course, too much should never be read into one poll – and we still await a poll that actually puts the Yes side ahead. But there seems little doubt that this poll will electrify the campaign. The Yes side will now be able to argue with some conviction that they have gained momentum and can hope that they might yet secure a dramatic and historic victory. The No side, meanwhile, will be asking itself why it now apparently finds itself in a desperate last minute fight to keep Scotland in the Union.”

6 Responses to “New surge in support for Scottish independence”

  1. Asteri

    How were they going to get – Gordon Brown?

    I have come round to the idea of Scottish independence, it could be just what this country needs to force through some badly needed reforms to local government and the voting system. A no vote would be disaster and yet another victory for reactionism and the status quo where nothing will change for a generation. If a country as poor as Ireland once was could become a successful and culturally revived nation it is now and with none of the resources Scotland has, then there is no reason why Scotland could not be a success as well. England and Scotland have all to gain from independence, thats why the establishment in England is so against it.

  2. ginger

    The Scots love England too much to leave it. Scotland will remain part of England, as the Scots are Patriots of England.

  3. Guest

    Only if you don’t think Britain is democratic.

    Peaceful seperationism is generally deeply regretted by younger people (who, incidentally, are in polling overwhelmingly in favour of keeping the Union, and the “brilliant” idea to include 16-17 year olds in voting may torpedo Salmond’s plans…), as it has been in Czech Republic and Slovakia.

    Ireland a success? Yea, Banking Crisis. The Scottish banks, too.

  4. Jean Park

    Scotland was never “part of England”, no matter what many English people seem to think! Part of the United Kingdom, yes, and she always made her full contribution to the Union. But it is time we took control of our own destiny, and responsibility for our own decisions. By the way, I was born in London of an English father and Scottish mother; half of my family are English, and my son and his family live in England. I love England, and spend a lot of time there. But that’s not the point at issue: it’s about self-determination and democracy.

  5. Scm

    Scotland, please go? Everyone I know in England has had enough of an entire nation carrying the worlds biggest chip on their shoulders. Please, Please go!

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