New poll reveals a third will vote for split

A third of Scots support the country leaving the United Kingdom, according to the latest poll.

What people now deserve is a clear, fair referendum held in Scotland . . . that is not bogged down in the courts

The same survey also found that a third of voters in England and Wales back independence for Scotland.

The YouGov poll for the Sun showed that 33 per cent of Scots who were questioned backed independence, while 53 per cent were against, with 14 per cent undecided.

Among voters in England and Wales, again 33 per cent said they backed Scotland leaving the United Kingdom.

But the number of people opposed to this was lower than north of the border, with 37 per cent of English and Welsh voters saying “no” when asked if they supported Scottish independence. A total of 30 per cent of those questioned were undecided on the issue.

This latest poll shows support for independence among voters north of the border is higher than it was shortly before the Scottish National Party’s landslide election victory last May.

A YouGov poll in April found 28 per cent of those surveyed backed independence, with 57 per cent against. However, more recent polls have found an increase in the number of Scots wanting to leave the United Kingdom.

A survey by TNS-BMRB in June last year found 37 per cent favoured independence, with 45 per cent against the idea.

An Ipsos Mori poll a month ago found 38 per cent of Scots backed ending the Union, with 57 per cent in favour of remaining part of the UK.

Commenting on the figures, SNP MP and director of the SNP’s referendum campaign Angus Robertson said: “This is a very welcome poll, confirming that support for independence is continuing to grow.

“With this scale of progress in just a few short months, we are extremely confident of achieving a Yes vote for independence in the referendum in autumn 2014.

“And it is not just the opinion polls showing increased support for independence. In the first 24 hours after David Cameron’s intervention, people were signing up to join the SNP at a rate of one every nine minutes.”

Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said the latest research was a “great poll for the vast majority of Scots who, like me, love their country and want to stay part of the UK”.

She added: “If [Scotland’s First Minister] Alex Salmond thought the majority of people supported separation he would want a referendum tomorrow, but the irony is that the longer he has been in power, support for separation has gone down. What people now deserve is a clear, fair referendum held in Scotland, for Scotland, that is not bogged down in the courts.

“That’s why Labour is calling for all-party talks in Scotland to agree the rules so we can get on with the substance.”