'Yes' campaign gathers momentum in Scotland ahead of referendum
Uncertainty continues to surround the outcome of the Scottish independence referendum, as the ‘yes’ campaign looks to be gathering momentum.
A new ICM poll, which surveyed over 1,000 voters, published by The Scotsman on Wednesday found that the pro-independence campaign stands at 48%, four percentage points behind the ‘no’, when the undecided voters are excluded.
When the 14% of voters who are still to make their minds up ahead of Thursday are included, the ‘no’ campaign leads the secessionist movement by 45% to 41%.
An ICM poll conducted in August had the support for ‘yes’ campaign at 45% when undecided voters were not considered, meaning the pro-independence movement has gained three percentage points in a couple of weeks, while the ‘no’ movement has fallen from 55% to 52%.
“This is hugely encouraging for ‘yes’ - the six-point narrowing of the gap since the last comparable poll shows that ‘yes’ has the momentum as we approach referendum day,” said Blair Jenkins, chief executive of Yes Scotland.
“People know that a ‘yes’ vote is Scotland’s one opportunity to achieve job-creating powers, protect our NHS from the damaging impact of Westminster cuts and privatisation, and ensure that never again do we get Tory governments imposed on Scotland that we have roundly rejected.
“This poll - like all the recent polls - shows we are in touching distance of success. The referendum is on a knife edge, and this will spur on everybody who wants and is working hard for a Yes to redouble their efforts.”
There was, however, some positive news for the pro-unionist campaign as 20% of those yet to decide on their vote admitted they were more likely to vote in favour of no, while 12% said they were more inclined towards a pro-independence vote.
“This vote will go right down to the wire. There is no room for a protest vote. If we vote to leave the UK there would be no going back, no matter what it costs us in terms of bigger cuts, higher prices and fewer jobs,” said Better Together’s campaign director Blair McDougall.
“The last week has exposed how much of a risk going it alone would be for Scotland. Jobs would move to England, funding for pensions would be cut and our NHS would be at risk.
“These are risks we just don’t need to take. We can have faster, better, stronger change for Scotland within the UK. We can have more powers for Scotland without taking on all the risks of separation. If people want to avoid these risks then they have to vote No. It can’t be left to someone else.”
An Opinium poll for the Daily Telegraph and a Survation poll for the Scottish Daily Mail also showed similar results, putting the ‘yes’ campaign ahead 52% to 48%.