Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

New Scottish independence poll shows just 29 per cent want referendum by end of 2023

A new Scottish independence poll has shown that less than a third of people want another referendum before the end of 2023.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly said she wants to hold another constitutional vote by the end of next year, however according to a survey by Survation 60 per cent are against that timeline.

Just 29 per cent of the 1,050 adults asked between April 29 and May 3 want to see indyref2 happen in the near future.

The poll for pro-UK campaign group Scotland in Union revealed that among SNP supporters at the Holyrood election in 2021, 36 per cent said there shouldn't be a vote next year.

Results of the poll come after the SNP won the most council seats at the election on Thursday, with Sturgeon's party gaining 22 councillors on 2017.

Supporters of the Union have called on the SNP to prioritise "what really matters" and not another vote in Scotland's place in the UK.

The poll asked, 'Should Scotland remain a part of the United Kingdom or leave the United Kingdom?'.

Of the more than 1000 people, 58 per cent said they would vote remain and 42 per cent said they would vote leave.

People were also asked to choose their top three most important issues that the government should prioritise.

It revealed that 61 per cent said NHS, 48 per cent said economy and jobs, 30 per cent covid recovery and 26 per cent education.

Just 10 per cent said independence was a priority.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: "Whatever SNP politicians claim about the council election results, it is clear the people of Scotland do not support their timetable for a divisive second referendum next year.

"Voters want the government to prioritise what really matters to them – not the SNP’s obsession with constitutional division.

"And once again, this poll has confirmed that a significant majority of people in Scotland want to remain part of the UK.

"Scotland’s best days are ahead of us as part of the UK, ensuring we can bring communities together and use the strength of our shared economy to invest more in the NHS, schools and local services."

Richard Thomson, SNP MP for Gordon, speaking before the poll was published, said: "Everybody knows there is a referendum in the works, it's priced in.

"Most people understand quite well why we haven't been able to hold a referendum yet, because there was no clarity over Brexit and therefore there was no basis to say what an independent Scotland's relationship would be rest of the UK.

"I am confident the legislation will be laid in order to allow for a referendum in 2023. I have full confidence in the Scottish Government that it will deliver on that."

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.