In the first Scottish poll of 2020 a clear majority are backing the Scottish Parliament having the power over a future independence referendum. Amongst voters expressing an opinion: 61% believe Holyrood should ultimately decide on the holding of a future Scottish independence referendum, while 39% believe it should be the Westminster Parliament.

The poll was conducted by Survation for polling and research think-tank Progress Scotland from 20-22nd January 2020 with a sample of 1,019 respondents in Scotland.

A similar strong majority is evident in a second question: if a pro-independence majority is elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2021 Holyrood election - do you think that the Scottish Parliament should or should not have the power to decide when a future independence referendum is held? Amongst respondents expressing an opinion 58% believe Holyrood should have the power, while 42% believe Westminster should.

Responding to the findings Progress Scotland Managing Director Angus Robertson said:

“There is a strong majority amongst voters in Scotland that it should be the Scottish Parliament that decides on the future holding of an independence referendum. Last week UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined the request from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for Holyrood to have the powers over such a vote. Scottish public opinion appears to be on the side of the Scottish Government and Parliament which has voted in favour of such a move. Not only is there strong support from SNP and ‘Yes’ voters, but also from a significant minority of Labour and ‘No’ voters”.

“Progress Scotland will be doing further polling and research in 2020 on the views of open-minded and undecided voters on Scottish independence. This is particularly relevant given the Scottish Government mandate to hold a referendum and the approaching UK Brexit date, given that the biggest single factor that has been changing people’s minds on Scottish independence has been Brexit”.

POLL QUESTIONS:

1. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently declined a request for the Scottish Parliament to decide on holding a Scottish independence referendum. Which parliament do you think should ultimately decide on the holding of a future Scottish independence referendum?

The Scottish Parliament: 54% (61% - exc. DK)

The Westminster Parliament: 35% (39% - exc. DK)

Don’t know: 12%

2. The next Scottish Parliament election will be held in 2021. If a pro-independence majority is elected to the Scottish Parliament at that election, do you think that the Scottish Parliament should or should not have the power to decide when a future independence referendum is held?

In this scenario the Scottish Parliament should have the power to decide when a future independence referendum is held: 50% (58% - exc.DK)

In this scenario the Scottish Parliament should not have the power to decide when

a future independence referendum is held: 36% (42% - exc. DK)

a future independence referendum is held: 36% (42% - exc. DK) Don’t know: 14%



Poll Details: Poll conducted by Survation for Progress Scotland from 20-22 January 2020, with 1,019 respondents in Scotland. Data tables can be found here.





(Click here to read polling analysis by Mark Diffley)

