The proportion of people supporting Scottish independence has never been higher, according to a new poll.
The poll found that 58% of respondents said they would vote ‘yes’ in an independence referendum, and nearly two thirds agreed that there should be another referendum on independence.
In a referendum in 2014, Scotland voted by a margin of 56-44 to remain part of the United Kingdom (UK).
The new poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori, found that the two primary reasons for Scots thinking independence would be a good idea were that they were unhappy about the general political direction of the UK and that governments centred in London would not always act in Scotland’s best interests.
Nearly 60% of respondents also felt that Scottish independence was desirable, as Scotland had voted to remain in the European Union while the UK had voted to leave.
The separatist Scottish National Party (SNP) and its leader, Nicola Sturgeon, are both popular, with the SNP easily leading in polls for next year’s elections for the Scottish Parliament. Sturgeon, who is also Scotland’s First Minister, holds an approval rating of 72%. In contrast, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has an approval rating of only 19% in Scotland, according to the poll.
[Picture: David Peterson from Pixabay]