The SNP have welcomed a TNS opinion poll showing a significant surge in support for Scottish independence. The poll shows 40% of Scots want to see the Scottish Parliament have the powers of independence.
The survey of 950 people was conducted over St Andrews Day and shows 40% support the Scottish Parliament having the powers and responsibilities to enable independence, with 44% opposed and 16% undecided.
The opinion poll puts support for independence up by nine points compared with the same time last year and close to the 41% support in a poll from April 2008. The last time support was at the current level was December 2007, in the first year of the SNP’s administration.
The question asked whether the Scottish Parliament’s powers and responsibilities should be extended to enable independence to be achieved.
The TNS poll follows findings by the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey which shows that support for Scottish independence rises to almost half (45 per cent) if taxes were to go down by £500 – with 62 per cent also saying that the Scottish Parliament should take the most important decisions about welfare benefits, while 57 per cent say the same about taxes.
Commenting, SNP Campaign Director Angus Robertson MP said:
“This is an excellent poll which shows a surge in support for independence at a time when the London parties have been exposed as having nothing positive to offer Scotland.
“The Scotland Bill published by the UK Government is a huge opportunity for Scotland to gain the financial responsibility it needs to prosper – but as currently drafted it falls far short of what is needed.
“This poll shows that people across Scotland see the need for this country to gain the powers other countries take for granted, so we can compete on a level playing field, attract business, grow the economy and create a wealthier nation – the only alternative to the savage Westminster cuts agenda.”
