03-06-2025
New poll shows Scots overwhelmingly back independence over direct rule
A Norstat survey, for which the Wings of Scotland blog contributed a question, found that 63% of Scots would back independence if the other option was direct Westminster rule.
37%, meanwhile, said they would back direct rule again.
The question asked, specifically: 'If there were to be a second independence referendum tomorrow and the ONLY options on the ballot paper were full independence or the permanent closure of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood and a return to direct Westminster rule, how do you think you would vote?'
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Interestingly, Labour voters during last July's General Election are quite split on the issue – narrowly backing direct rule by 51% to 49%, according to the survey.
The same Norstat survey, which was initially commissioned for The Sunday Times, found that overall support for Scottish independence is at 54% but would rise even further if Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage, were to become the next prime minister.
Data from the poll, which was published Saturday evening, shows the Yes side has opened up an eight-point lead, sitting at 54%, when undecided voters are excluded.
But this would rise to 58% if Farage were to be in power.
It comes after the Clacton MP hinted that he would scrap the Scottish Parliament's funding mechanism if he were Prime Minister.
Asked during a rare appearance in Scotland on Monday about whether he would get rid of the Barnett formula, which is used to fund Holyrood, Farage said the mechanism was 'out of date'.
He added: 'What I'd like to see is a Scottish Government that's able to raise a bit more of its own revenue and a Scottish economy that's actually got genuine growth and I don't believe that can happen without this sector [oil and gas] booming.
'I think, you know, the Barnett formula goes back to the 1970s. Is there an argument it should be looked at again? Of course there is.'
Norstat polled 1007 Scottish adults between May 27 and May 30.
