Poll suggests downturn in independence support among Scottish voters

Independence: Referendum is set to be held in autumn 2014.

Voters are less likely to support Scottish independence than they were a year ago, a poll has suggested.

According to the survey, 30% of people would vote for independence in a referendum while 50% would vote against it. The remaining 20% said they did not know how they would vote.

The results reveal a change in fortunes for the two campaigns, with a previous poll taken in August 2011 showing that 39% would vote yes, 38% would vote no, and 23% did not know.

The poll of 1022 voters, taken between June 27 and July 5, was conducted by TNS-BMRB following the launch of the Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns for and against independence.

Chris Eynon, the firm's Scottish head, said: "With over two years until the referendum and the campaigns on both sides barely under way, much can change as arguments for and against are rolled out and the electorate are encouraged to reconsider their options.

"However, the Better Together movement cannot but be enthused by this positive shift in their favour immediately following their campaign launch.

"The balance of public opinion has swung strongly in favour of the union and the independence movement would appear for now to have their work cut out to reverse this. They at least have time on their side to do so."

The poll also revealed a rise in support for a devo max option, with 37% of those surveyed choosing the transfer of more powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, including tax and welfare, but excluding defence and foreign affairs.

SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said the results should be seen as support for a new constitutional future for Scotland.

He said: "A clear majority of people across Scotland are rejecting the constitutional status quo on offer from the no campaign and choosing a positive change and progress for their country.

"This poll puts further pressure on the anti-independence parties who are offering nothing to Scotland."

However, opposition parties seized on the numbers to claim that the independence campaign was doomed to failure.

Labour's Patricia Ferguson said: "This is a great poll for Scotland and for the majority of Scots who want to stay part of the UK.

"The momentum is with the Better Together campaign because people are simply not buying the product that the Nationalists are trying to sell."

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