I'm liking the breakdown from Reform Scotland's poll that's all over the news today.
According to question one.
"If there was a Scottish independence referendum tomorrow where you could only vote either yes or no to independence, how would you vote?"
97.5% of SNP supporters naturally voted yes. Oddly enough 28.0% of Labour supporters, 9.2% Tories and 25.0% Lib Dems all selected Independence as their preferred option. Now the numbers are small, and those identifying with the SNP were in the majority, but still 28% of Labour and 25% of Lib Dems support Independence. If anything it shows that there are people in those parties who are bound to party/family loyalty but hopefully have the strength of their convictions when it comes to doing something for the greater good.
The other question I found interesting was the timing of the proposed referendum. Only the Tories favoured an immediate referendum with a whopping 47.7% of their supporters wanting it right NOW! Perhaps they're afraid that any more years of this pathetic coalition will simply play into pro-Independence hands. Interestingly the majority of Labour supporters want it like the SNP supporters, in 2014, with 25.6% Labour supporters and 59.7% SNP supporters willing to wait until the latter part of this parliamentary period.
Perhaps, like Gordon Brown's lack of desire to go to the country in a general election, many of the Labour supporters want to delay the inevitable.
What is noticeable is the 8.5% Labour supporters and 16.3% Tories who never want to see the day Scotland has a referendum... That's your core Unionist support, the diehards who will resist change no matter the cost.
Devo Plus and Opinion Poll Bulletin
Err it's not exactly a scientific test of public opinion.
ReplyDeleteThey tested people who are already known to Reform Scotland, which indicates they want Scotland to be reformed.
It's good yes, but it has been bandied about on some forums as a breakthrough. No it isn't.
In the polls that are conducted scientifically (as much as they can be) independence is still trailing. That means that people like the SNP but many are still a bit feart of sticking their toes in the water far less crossing the rubicon.
There's a way to go yet, but onwards & upwards.
Completely agree Observer. What I find interesting, other than the Unionist parties somwwehat substantial support for Independence, is the strength of online support for the SNP. Of the 808 respondents, 434 identified themselves as SNP supporters. As the poll was open to people from all political persuasions, that's a powerful indication of the pro Independence online lobby. It's not as if the poll was hidden away and only open to the few...As you say, onwards and upwards.
ReplyDeleteMonty, wishing you and yours a tremendous 2012. Have thoroughly enjoyed your posts, regretably infrequent as they are! Ayrshire
ReplyDeleteA very guid New Year to you and yours Mark.
ReplyDeleteMay it be a good one.
The Mighty Eck has spoken and the Brit nats are broken.
ReplyDeleteI think the referendum question should be a simple:
Do you want Scotland to become an independent country with its own directly elected sovereign government in Edinburgh? YES NO
AND if not a YES majority then a second referendum for FFA
Of course a further referendum for independence ASAP after that.
We will win.