The referendum is now so close that people who register in the final 24 hours before the deadline could determine the outcome of the vote, Yes Scotland Chief Executive, Blair Jenkins said today.
Commenting as a major push to persuade as many people to register to vote as possible continued, Jenkins insisted that Yes was on track as the referendum neared and that the new voters could take the Yes side over the line.
Speaking to a group of undecided voters while out on the campaign trail in Prestwick, Ayrshire, Mr Jenkins said: “The Yes campaign is closing the gap, and has all the momentum in this referendum.
“After last week’s revelations from the No campaign, people now know for sure that Scotland can use the pound and that a No vote will not deliver a single additional job-creating power.
“This is crucial new information that is swinging more and more people behind a Yes – not only undecided voters but also people who had previously been intending to vote No.”
The dramatic closing of the gap in the final weeks of the campaign was underlined by a new poll published tonight that showed Yes now only six points behind its rival.
The survey, carried out by Yougov, puts Yes on 47% (+4) and No 53% (-4). The result will come as a shock to No supporters. YouGov, traditionally friendly to the No campaign, just over a year ago had figures of Yes 33% and No 67%.
The latest survey follows a near identical poll this weekend carried out by Survation that showed a similar swing in favour of Yes.
At the weekend The Sunday Times quoted a source close to the No campaign, who said: “The canvas returns are not great. It’s a lot closer than we thought. I think it’s too close to call.”
Mr Jenkins said: “People have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vote Yes to provide our NHS with guaranteed protection from the budgetary impact of Westminster health privatisation in England.
“Together we can secure the new job creating powers we desperately need if we are going to deliver more opportunities across our country. And, we can move away from a Westminster system that only works for the few and choose a Yes so that Scotland’s vast wealth delivers for the many.
“For these reasons, Yes is getting overwhelming support from people who don’t usually take part in elections. Anyone who doubts the importance of their personal vote, should look at the narrowing of the opinion polls and what is at stake.”
The deadline for registering to vote is midnight today (Tues). Registration offices are staying open until 12 am to accommodate any latecomers.
Mr Jenkins added: “If you are not registered, do it today because your vote could be crucial. It could decide whether Scotland’s future is in Scotland’s hands, or remains in the hands of the likes of George Osborne, David Cameron and Nigel Farage.
“The referendum result, and the wellbeing of services like the NHS, could hang on the decision that thousands of Scots make today about registering.
“My plea to all those people, is a simple one – make sure your voice is heard. We’ve an opportunity here that is too good to miss. You’ve got to be part of it”.