Poll shows no rise in support for Scottish independence

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

A new poll has found that support for Scottish independence has not risen since Theresa May's bid to block a second referendum.

The BMG survey, for The Herald newspaper, found 43 per cent of Scots support independence, with 45 per cent saying they oppose a breakaway from the union.

When ‘don’t knows’ are excluded, 49 per cent backed independence - similar to polls in January and February this year.

Last month First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was dealt a blow when Theresa May announced “now is not the time” for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Sturgeon had predicted support for an independence Scotland would rise following the move by Westminster.

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Her predecessor Alex Salmond suggested the refusal to agree to a referendum would “backfire spectacularly.”

Dr Michael Turner, head of polling at BMG Research said: “Out latest poll shows public support for an independent Scotland remains on a knife-edge.”

An SNP spokesman said the results showed support for independence remained “strong and steady”.

Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said:” This latest poll shows a dead heat between Yes and No and that’s before the potential re-election of an extremist Conservative Government and its devastating hard-Brexit agenda.”

But John Lamont, Scottish Conservative chief whip said: “This poll shows once against there has been no surge in support for independence.”