Nicola Sturgeon nightmare: Support for independence falls following Alex Salmond chaos

Sturgeon: Expert says ‘everything has gone down’ in Scotland

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The latest Ipsos MORI poll has found the SNP is still in pole position ahead of the Holyrood elections in May. But support for Scottish independence has fallen by four percent since last November.

The poll – which surveyed 1,031 adults across Scotland between February 15 and 21 – found 52 percent of people would vote Yes in a second independence referendum.

This is a slight dip from 56 percent in November – while 48 percent said they would vote No in the referendum.

Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos MORI Scotland, said: “This latest poll from Ipsos MORI and STV News shows a fall in support for independence, and a corresponding increase in support for staying in the Union – though Yes still has a four-point lead over No.

“That’s important for Scotland’s political parties since independence is the top issue voters say will help them make up their minds about which party to vote for in May’s Holyrood elections.”

Ms Sturgeon’s party still retains a comfortable lead in voting intention for both consistency and list votes in the Scottish Parliament elections in May.

The poll found 52 percent would vote for the SNP in the upcoming elections, another drop compared to the November poll.

While 44 percent said independence is seen as the top issue helping voters decide which party they would vote for, the handling of the Salmond inquiry is impacting on voters’ perceptions.

More than a third of Scots (36 percent) say the inquiry has made them less favourable towards the SNP, although most (58 percent) say it has made no difference to their view of the party.

Among those who voted SNP at the last General Election, one in five (21 percent) say it has made them less favourable towards the SNP.

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown, said: “This poll shows that voters in Scotland are continuing to put their trust in the SNP, ahead of the Westminster parties, to lead Scotland’s recovery.

“The people of Scotland want to have their say on Scotland’s future in a post-pandemic referendum, and the clearest way to secure that opportunity is with an SNP majority in May.

“While today’s findings are encouraging, they underline the importance of Both Votes SNP at the election to stop Boris Johnson’s Tory party having the whip hand over Scotland.

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“It is up to the people who live and work here to decide Scotland’s future, not Westminster governments we didn’t vote for.

“The SNP take nothing for granted and will continue to work tirelessly for every single vote ahead of 6th May.”

The First Minister still remains the highest-rated party leader among the Scottish public, with a ‘net’ satisfaction rating of +32.

However, this is 16 points lower than when Ipsos MORI and STV last polled on this in October 2020.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “At the same stage in 2016, the polls put us on lower numbers than these, but we stopped an SNP majority.

“As Scotland’s largest opposition party, we can do so again in May’s election.

“Pro-UK voters know we are the only party with the strength and determination to stop another damaging and divisive independence referendum.

“Only the Scottish Conservatives can prevent an SNP majority, stop indyref2 and get the Scottish Parliament 100 percent focussed on rebuilding Scotland.”

Ms Sturgeon has demanded a second referendum vote this year after support for independence grew during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the Scottish public taking to the polls in 2014 and voting to remain part of the UK, Ms Sturgeon said a second referendum should be held in the “earlier part” of the next Scottish Parliament term.

However, Ms Sturgeon’s push for independence has been met with criticism with people arguing the First Minister should focus on recovery from the pandemic than independence.

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