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Support for Welsh independence is surging across Wales, according to a new poll by YouGov.

The survey of 1,039 voters found that nearly a quarter - 24% - would vote for an independent Wales if there was a referendum tomorrow.

In a scenario in which the UK has left the EU but Wales has the option to become an independent state within the EU, support for Welsh independence grew to 33%.

When people who said they didn't know how they would vote were excluded, the YouGov poll conducted between September 6 and 10 suggests that 31% of people would be certain to vote for independence in a referendum with 41% backing an independent Wales in the European Union if the rest of the UK leaves.

Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said the “sensational” figures put support for his party’s key aim of independence at an all-time high.

The poll follows a series of rallies by the independence movement All Under One Banner Cymru (AUOBCymru) in Cardiff, Caernarfon and Merthyr Tydfil where thousands marched in support of independence.

If there was a referendum on Welsh independence tomorrow, how would you vote? YouGov

The figure is a significant rise from previous polls. In December last year, a poll for Sky found that only 8% wanted Wales to be an independent state separate from the UK. In an ICM poll conducted for BBC Wales in February, only 7% said they back the idea of Welsh independence. The BBC Wales poll is not directly comparable as it offered a range of options including greater powers within a devolved settlement.

Polls in which people are asked to rate their view of independence on a sliding scale have previously indicated that more than 20% are supportive of the independence to some degree yet this poll indicates that is now translating into a significant percentage of people backing independence in a putative yes or no referendum.

(Image: Mark Lewis)

Mr Price said: “These are sensational figures which put support for Plaid Cymru’s ambition of securing Welsh independence at a historic high.

“Westminster is in turmoil. Boris Johnson’s reckless Tory government and Jeremy Corbyn’s chaotic so-called opposition are wrecking Wales’ future.

“It is no wonder that we are witnessing a surge in support for a New Wales – a nation proudly taking its place as an equal partner on the international stage.

“Having overtaken Labour at the European Parliament election in May, Plaid Cymru has secured its place as Wales’ true Remain party, fighting against a crash-out Brexit and for future prosperity.

“Independence is moving from the margins to the mainstream. Our nation is on the march.

“As Boris Johnson takes us closer to the cliff edge, more and more people will demand an outward-looking Wales free from Westminster’s contempt.”

Detailed results show that more voters who backed Labour and the Liberal Democrats at the 2017 General Election, as well as those who voted for Plaid Cymru, would back independence than oppose it if it means Wales could stay in the EU while the rest of the UK left.

(Image: WalesOnline)

Forty-four per cent of Labour voters would vote for an independent Wales in such circumstances, with 38% against, 15% don’t know and 3% refused to say.

Fifty-five per cent of Liberal Democrat voters would back independence if it meant Wales could stay in the EU while the rest of the UK left, with 26% voting against and 19% don’t know.

Plaid Cymru voters split 51% for independence, 29% against, 18% don’t know and 1% refused to say.

Conservatives were, unsurprisingly, overwhelmingly opposed to independence, with 83% against, 12% for, 4% don’t know and 1% refused to say.

How would you vote on Welsh independence if the UK left the EU? YouGov

Caerphilly Labour AM Hefin David said: “Leaving one economic union – the EU – doesn’t mean it’s logical to leave another, the UK.

“We don’t need another divisive referendum on another big constitutional issue that could drag on for years.

“We need to prioritise electoral reform so that people’s voices are properly heard at election time and to revitalise representative democracy.”

Mr David recently argued that if, under a properly proportionate electoral system like STV, a majority of members of the Scottish Parliament voted for independence after a manifesto commitment, there should be no need for a referendum for independence to proceed.

Monmouth Conservative MP David Davies said: “Genuine independence is incompatible with membership of the EU, which has shown its contempt for independence movements by its approach to Catalonia, where MEPs who have been elected have been turned away.

“Leaving the UK would be a disaster for Wales. Our economy is integrated with that of the rest of the UK and it would be very difficult to disentangle the link.”

The YouGov polling figures show that of those who voted Remain in the 2016 referendum on EU membership, 55% would back an independent Wales in the EU and 31% would be against, with 13% don’t know and 2% refused to say.

Meanwhile 15% of Leave voters would back independence if Wales could remain in the EU with 74% against, 10% don’t know and 1% refused to say.

Men – with 36% in favour and 51% against – were more likely to support independence than women (30% yes, 45% no), although 23% of female voters didn’t know and a further 2% refused to say.

Ten per cent of men were undecided and 3% wouldn’t say.

The younger people are, the more likely they are to support independence. In response to the question on Wales remaining in the EU with the rest of the UK leaving, 42% of those aged 18 to 24 backed independence against 35% who were against.

In the 25 to 49 age group, 37% would vote for independence and 39% against. Among those aged 50 to 64, 35% would vote for independence and 49% against. Those aged 65 and over split 20% for independence and 66% against. The rest were don’t knows or refused to say.

In terms of the regions of Wales, independence is most popular in Cardiff and South Wales Central, with 37% in favour and 45% against if Wales can stay in the EU while the rest of the UK leaves.

In Mid and West, 36% are in favour and 41% against: in South East 33% are in favour and 49% against; in North Wales 31% are in favour and 53% against; and in South West Wales 27% are in favour and 52% against. Again, the rest are don’t knows or would not say.

In terms of social class, 36% of ABC1 higher earners would back independence if Wales could stay in the EU as the rest of the UK left, against 52% who would be against. People in the less well-off C2DE categories would split 30% in favour of independence and 44% against.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds, the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: "Liberal Democrats think Wales is best served by being part of both a reformed UK and a reformed EU. We want to build an economy that works for all parts of the UK, and ensure that Welsh public services get proper funding from Westminster.

"In the next general election, the only way to fix the broken politics that's held our country back for too long is to vote Liberal Democrat and get Jo Swinson into Downing Street."

* The poll is based on a sample of 1,039 adults living in Wales, surveyed between September 6 and September 10, with the results adjusted to ensure they reflect a representative sample of voters.