All to play for in referendum says McLeod

The poll also shows a strong lead in both the constituency and list categories for the SNP in Scottish Parliamentary election voting intentions. When ‘don’t knows’ are excluded, the SNP is polling at 44 per cent on the constituency vote and on the list – about as high as the landslide victory of the 2011 Holyrood election.

The poll also shows 63 per cent support for a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, once the ‘don’t knows’ are excluded – a position now firmly backed on both sides of the border.

Dr McLeod commented:

“For the SNP to enjoy the same landslide levels of support – almost seven years into office – is a fantastic achievement by any standard.

“Support for independence is strong, with a swing of only just over 7 per cent needed to put Yes ahead, and this is very encouraging on top of the seven polls since the White Paper which have shown a clear swing towards Yes.

“The firm support for the Sterling area – at 63 per cent – reflects the common sense position already backed by seven out of 10 people in the rest of the UK, who believe that an independent Scotland should keep using the pound within an agreed currency union.

“We know that the facts and figures show that Scotland will be better off as an independent country – which is why more and more people, including leading business figures, are backing a Yes vote in September.”

“Given that Scotland is financially stronger than rest of UK – as confirmed by Financial Times analysis – to the tune of £12.6 billion over the past five years, there is no need for tax to be higher in an independent Scotland.

“The political landscape is changing in a way which will boost the case for a Yes vote further; the revelation of Westminster’s failed anti-independence whispering campaign in Spain and Russia, Labour’s bitter splits and inability to offer more powers for Scotland, combined with David Cameron’s refusal to engage in a debate with the First Minister of Scotland, will see more and more undecided voters attracted to the gains of independence.”

 

Notes:

rUK poll on Sterling Area: http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/dec/people-rest-uk-back-currency-and-travel-area

 

Panelbase poll results published in today’s Sunday Times. Results on Scottish Parliamentary voting intentions with ‘Don’t Knows’ removed: