The Boris Johnson effect? Lord Ashcroft poll finds majority of Scots now favour independence
A new poll has found a majority of Scots are now in favour of independence which Scotland’s First Minister described as phenomenal.
The Lord Ashcroft poll puts support for independence at 46% and 43% against.
When those who said they did not know how they would vote, or said they would not vote, were removed, support for independence was at 52% and 48% were against.
The online poll questioned 1,019 adults in Scotland between July 30 and August 2.
It found 47% felt there should be a second independence referendum within the next two years, with 45% against the proposal.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is a phenomenal poll for the independence movement – showing that more and more people think it’s time that Scotland took our own decisions and shaped our own future as a fair, prosperous, outward-looking nation.”
Ms Sturgeon said the case for independence was growing stronger by the day as Scotland is "dragged towards a no-deal Brexit".
ITV Border Political Editor Peter MacMahon said unionists in Scotland had privately feared a boost in support for independence with Boris Johnson in Number 10.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservative Party said: “Taking Scotland back to another divisive referendum on independence is not the way forward and the Scottish Conservatives will oppose it every step of the way.
“It is time for us all to focus on what matters – growing our economy, and sorting out the mess the SNP is making of our education system and the NHS.”