Poll: Commonwealth Games Fail to Boost Scottish Independence Chances

Poll: Commonwealth Games Fail to Boost Scottish Independence Chances

The Commonwealth Games have had no real effect on how Scots will vote in the forthcoming independence referendum, according to a new poll. The Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday says that the games, hosted by the Scottish city of Glasgow, have failed to produce the “Braveheart bounce” that some had expected.

The poll says that 40 percent of Scots will vote for independence, down one from last month, while 46 percent will vote against. Fourteen percent remain undecided. The outcome will be a serious blow for the pro-independence campaign who had hoped that an increase in national self-confidence after the games would encourage more people to vote ‘yes’.

The poll also found that more than 80 percent of respondents said the Commonwealth Games had made no impact on how they would vote in the referendum. Just 12 percent said they were more likely to vote for independence after the games. Seven percent even said the games would make them more likely to vote ‘no’.

The nationalists are now pinning all their hopes on televised debates taking place over the next few weeks. The first debate will take place on Tuesday, with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond taking on Alistair Darling, head of the ‘no’ campaign.

Analysts are expecting charismatic Mr Salmond to easily win over the dour Mr Darling, although it remains to be seen how the debates will actually affect the polls.

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