UK on a knife edge: Poll finds Scots are split 50-50 over breaking up the union as Nicola Sturgeon demands fresh independence referendum
- Survation poll finds Scots split down the middle over whether to leave the UK
- Nicola Sturgeon has been demanding new referendum in the wake of Brexit
- YouGov poll recently found independence backed by 51 per cent to 49 per cent
Scots are split down the middle over whether to break up the UK, according to a poll today.
The threat to the union has been underlined by research showing voters north of the border are divided 50-50 on the issue of independence.
The Survation poll, which discounts undecideds, is the latest to show the result of a referendum – which Nicola Sturgeon has been demanding – would be too close to call.
Last week a YouGov survey found 51 per cent would support independence – the first time the firm has recorded a majority in favour since 2015.
The First Minister has demanded a new ballot immediately saying circumstances have been changed by Brexit.
But the PM has flatly dismissed the idea, insisting the 2014 referendum – which the separatists lost convincingly – was a once-in-a-generation decision.
The Survation poll, which discounts undecideds, is the latest to show the result of an independence referendum would be too close to call
The Survation research was conducted between January 20 and 22.
The headline figures echo the findings of the YouGov poll, conducted between January 22 and 27.
The previous survey found 42 per cent thought the move would make Scotland worse off economically, against 35 per cent who believed it would be better off.
Last August a poll by Lord Ashcroft found Scots backed independence by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, again excluding those who did not voice a preference.
Last week MSPs passed a motion by 64 votes to 54, calling on the UK Government to ‘reach an agreement with the Scottish Government on such a referendum taking place on a date and in a manner determined by the Scottish Parliament’.
Ms Sturgeon has been demanding a referendum in the second half of this year.
:: Survation questioned 1,019 Scottish adults (aged over 16) between January 20 and 22.
Boris Johnson (pictured giving a speech in Greenwich today) has flatly dismissed the idea of permitting another independence referendum
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