Second poll shows jump in support for Scottish independence

LONDON, United Kingdom – A second poll showed support for Scottish independence rising less than three weeks from the historic referendum, more than halving the lead of the anti-independence camp on Monday, September 1.

The YouGov poll found 47% of respondents would vote “Yes” to independence, compared to 53% who would vote “No”, excluding “undecideds”.

The results were identical to a Friday (August 29) poll by Survation, which had showed the “Yes” campaign had gained ground after a strong performance from pro-independence leader Alex Salmond in a TV debate.

The gap in support between the two camps more than halved to six points from a 14-point “No” camp lead in a YouGov poll in mid-August.

The pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign said the poll showed their group had momentum as the September 18 referendum nears.

“This breakthrough poll shows that Yes has the big momentum – it’s an all-time high for Yes support in a YouGov survey so far,” said the “Yes” campaign’s chief executive Blair Jenkins.

“We only need another three-point swing to achieve a Yes for Scotland on September 18.”

The pro-union Better Together campaign said the poll showed voter turnout would be important.

“This is yet another poll showing the campaign for Scotland to stay in the UK in the lead,” Better Together director Blair McDougall said.

“We speak for the majority of Scots, but this poll confirms that if people want Scotland to stay in the UK then they need to vote for it.”

YouGov’s previous poll in mid-August put the “Yes” camp on 43% support compared to 57% for the “No” campaign – itself a significant change from the 39% in favor of independence and 61% against in an early August YouGov survey.

The latest poll surveyed 1,063 people between August 28 and September 1. – Rappler.com