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Independence Referendum Poll

The findings of our exclusive South of Scotland opinion poll, which is the first full survey of how voters in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway intend to vote in the referendum.

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MSPs respond to South of Scotland independence poll

MSPs Jim Hume and John Lamont both said the findings of ITV Border's opinion poll on independence in the South of Scotland confirms what they expected from people in the area.

Their parties are both campaigning for a no vote in September's referendum. Our exclusive poll, by ComRes, showed 59% of voters in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway would currently vote against independence.

"This poll confirms what I've heard on the doorsteps across the ITV Border region - that the majority of people believe we are stronger when we share together across the UK family of nations.

"As a proud Scot within the UK I know that you don't need to be for independence to be for Scotland. As a Liberal Democrat I will continue to make the case for a stronger Scottish parliament within the UK family of nations."

– Jim Hume, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland

“This poll confirms that people in the South of Scotland share the same view as the rest of the country – that we are stronger and better off as part of the UK family.

“However, the most important vote is on September 18 and we will continue to argue the positive case for keeping Scotland part of one of the most successful economic and social unions in the world.”

– John Lamont, Scottish Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire

However, the Scottish National Party MSP Joan McAlpine said she believed the South of Scotland would be better represented in an independent Scotland.

We are working very hard for a Yes vote, because the fact of the matter is that the needs and interests of the South of Scotland will be far better represented and acted upon in an independent Scottish Parliament than can ever be the case at Westminster - the South of Scotland has over 13 per cent of the number of MSPs at Holyrood, compared to just 1.2 per cent of the parliamentarians in Westminster."

– Joan McAlpine, Scottish National Party MSP for the South of Scotland
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