Survey finds support for more devolution of powers to Holyrood

Debate: Nation to decide on its constitutional future in autumn 2014.

Holyrood should be given more powers short of independence, according to a new poll.

The result means the most popular option is not likely to be on the ballot paper in the referendum in autumn 2014, which is expected to offer a straight Yes or No to independence.

Known by supporters as Devo Plus, not to be confused with the slightly stronger Devo Max, the proposal is designed to make Holyrood and Westminster accountable for what they spend in Scotland.

It would see the transfer to Edinburgh of income and corporation tax, among other levies, as well as assigning a geographic share of Scotland's oil revenue.

The poll of 1003 people showed 41% prefer Devo Plus, with the status quo on 29% and independence on 27%.

It also showed 61% think the Scottish Government should be raising most of the money available to the Scottish Parliament.

A majority of Scots want unionist parties to campaign for more devolved powers, the survey revealed.

Ben Thomson, chairman of Reform Scotland, the group that formulated the proposal, said: "This poll is further proof of what we have suspected for some time.

"The current debate on Scotland's constitutional future is not adequately serving the people of Scotland because it is largely ignoring their preferred way forward."

He called for all parties to "lay their cards on the table", adding: "It's time people know exactly what they're voting for, and if nobody is offering Devo Plus, the most popular option, the question must be: why not?"

Former Liberal Democrat MSP Jeremy Purvis, leader of the Devo Plus Group, said: "Devo Plus is not a tactic to defeat independence, rather it is a carefully considered way forward for a stronger Scotland within the UK."

Slump in support

Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said the poll makes the case for devolution.

"Labour's guiding principle will be what is in the best interests of the people of Scotland," she said.

"But Scotland now urgently needs to make a decision on whether or not we are part of the UK."

The Conservatives said the poll is evidence of a slump in support for independence.

A poll published earlier this week showed 35% of people who are certain to vote backed independence, down four points since a poll in January.

Opposition increased by five points to 55% at the same time, the poll by Ipsos MORI showed.

There was no third option available in that survey.

Deputy Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw MSP said: "The SNP has achieved what it thought was impossible, but what the rest of us already knew, and that is the more the public consider this issue, the more they come to the conclusion that the UK should remain with Scotland at its heart."

A spokesperson for Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford said: "When people are asked if they want Scotland’s Parliament to have job-creating economic powers and control of welfare policy – so that we can build prosperity and social justice in place of Westminster’s cuts and recession – the answer is Yes.

"Only independence can deliver these essential powers, and give Scotland its own voice in Europe and the wider world – and we believe that the positive case for an independent Scotland will overcome the negativity of the Tory-led anti-independence campaign.

"Nonetheless, the Scottish Government recognise that there is support in Scotland for a 'more powers' option in the referendum, and it is important that this issue and all the other aspects of the consultation are given proper consideration."

More About Referendum

Related articles

People who read this story also read