Majority of Scots Now Support Independence

Majority of Scots Now Support Independence

Three months after the independence referendum, the majority of Scots now support an independent Scotland a YouGov poll has found. The survey says that 52 percent of Scots now want Scotland to break away from the UK, once undecided voters are removed, as voters become increasingly sceptical of plans to devolve more powers from Westminster to the Scottish parliament.

The poll also found record support for the Scottish National Party, with 47 percent of people north of the border planning to vote for them at next year’s General Election. Just 27 percent will vote Labour, with 16 percent backing the Conservatives. The figures are even worse for the Liberal Democrats, who have the support of just three percent of Scots.

If the results were replicated uniformly across Scotland next year, Labour would lose all but seven of the 41 seats it currently holds in Scotland, while the Conservatives would have none.

When asked about the new powers proposed for Scotland by the Smith Commission, 51 percent said they did not go far enough, with just 23 percent saying the balance is right. Only 14 percent thought it went too far.

The one glimmer of light for Labour is the fact the survey was taken before the party announced its new Scottish leader in Saturday. Jim Murphy was declared winner, having been the favourite since Johann Lamont resigned in September.

Mr Murphy has pledged greater independence for the Labour Party in Scotland, saying that he will not consult party leader Ed Miliband on policies for Scotland in a bid to distance himself from an increasingly unpopular Westminster elite.

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