Opinion polling for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum explained

This page lists the public opinion polls that were conducted in relation to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, that was held on 18 September 2014. Overall, polls showed that support for a "No" vote was dominant until the end of August 2014, when support for a "Yes" vote gained momentum and the gap closed significantly, with at least one poll placing the "Yes" vote ahead. In the final week of the campaign, polls showed the "No" vote to be consistently but somewhat narrowly ahead. There were no exit polls[1] [2] although a YouGov post-election poll was published shortly after the polls closed.[3] For the history of the campaign itself see 2014 Scottish independence referendum, Yes Scotland ("yes" supporters), and Better Together (campaign) ("no" supporters).

Opinion polls conducted by British Polling Council members

Overview

Professor John Curtice stated in January 2012 that polling showed support for independence at between 32% and 38% of the Scottish population—this is a slight decline from 2007, when the Scottish National Party (SNP) first formed the Scottish Government. Up until January 2012, there was an insignificant amount of poll evidence showing majority support for independence, although the share "vehemently opposed to independence" declined.[4]

Polls in March and April 2014 showed opposition to independence at an average of 55% (excluding those who registered a "Don't know" opinion), compared to 61% in the period before December 2013.[5] During September 2014, the month of the referendum, the poll results appeared to narrow further—as of 11 September, the average opposition to independence stood at 51%.[6]

A poll by Survation in April 2014 suggested that a high turnout in the referendum would be likely:[5] 75% of respondents indicated that they were certain to vote in the referendum, compared to 63% for the 2015 United Kingdom general election.[5]

Results

Only polling companies that are members of the British Polling Council, and therefore fully disclose their findings and methodology, are shown in this section. Three methods of conducting polls were used by the polling companies for referendum polling. YouGov, Survation and Panelbase conducted polls online, although Survation's final poll was by telephone. Ipsos Mori conducted their polls by telephone, ICM conducted online and telephone polls for different clients and TNS BMRB used face to face interviews.[7] There were variations in the questions used by each company, with TNS BMRB, ICM and Panelbase asking respondents how they intended to vote on 18 September 2014, while YouGov, Survation and Ipsos Mori asked their respondents how they would vote if the referendum were held immediately.[7]

Headline figures from ICM, Panelbase, Survation and Ipsos MORI only showed those who say they are certain or very likely to vote in referendum. TNS BMRB and YouGov headline figures showed voting intention for all voters.

2014

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" style="background:#D5D5D5"18 September 2014 2014 Scottish independence referendum results 3,623,344 44.7% 55.3% 10.6%
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" 16–17 Sep Ipsos MORI/Evening Standard99145% 50% 5% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" 16–17 Sep Survation/Daily Record1,16043% 48% 9% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" 15–17 Sep YouGov/The Times/The Sun3,237 45% 49% 6% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" 15–17 Sep Panelbase 1,004 45% 50% 5% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-09-16" 15–16 Sep Ipsos MORI/STV1,373 47% 49% 5% 2%
data-sort-value="2014-09-16" 12–16 Sep ICM/The Scotsman1,175 41% 45% 14% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-16" 12–16 Sep Survation/Daily Mail1,000 44% 48% 8% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-16" 12–15 Sep Opinium/Telegraph1,156 43% 47% 8% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-12" 10–12 Sep Survation/Better Together1,044 42% 49% 9% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-09-12" 9–12 Sep Panelbase/Sunday Times1,014 46% 47% 7% 1%
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 11 Sep Broadcast of
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 10–11 Sep ICM/Sunday Telegraph705 49% 42% 9% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 9–11 Sep Opinium/Observer1,055 43% 47% 10% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 9–11 Sep ICM/Guardian1,000 40% 42% 17% 2%
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 9–11 Sep YouGov/The Times/The Sun1,268 45% 50% 5% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-09-09" 5–9 Sep Survation/Daily Record 1,000 42% 48% 10% 6%
data-sort-value="2014-09-05" 2–5 Sep YouGov/The Sunday Times1,084 47% 45% 7% 2%
data-sort-value="2014-09-04" 2–4 Sep Panelbase/Yes Scotland1,042 44% 48% 8% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-09-04" 27 Aug–4 Sep TNS BMRB990 38% 39% 23% 1%
data-sort-value="2014-09-01" 28 Aug–1 Sep YouGov/The Times/The Sun 1,063 42% 48% 10% 6%
data-sort-value="2014-08-28" 26–28 Aug Survation/Scottish Daily Mail 1,001 41% 47% 12% 6%
data-sort-value="2014-08-25" 25 Aug Broadcast of
data-sort-value="2014-08-15" 12–15 Aug YouGov/The Times 1,085 38% 51% 11% 13%
data-sort-value="2014-08-15" 12–15 Aug Panelbase/Yes Scotland 1,026 42% 46% 12% 4%
data-sort-value="2014-08-14" 11–14 Aug ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,005 38% 47% 14% 9%
data-sort-value="2014-09-11" 11 Aug Publication of The Wee Blue Book [8]
data-sort-value="2014-08-07" 6–7 Aug Survation/Scottish Daily Mail 1,010 37% 50% 13% 13%
data-sort-value="2014-08-07" 4–7 Aug YouGov/The Sun 1,142 35% 55% 10% 20%
data-sort-value="2014-08-07" 23 Jul–7 Aug TNS BMRB 1,003 32% 45% 23% 13%
data-sort-value="2014-08-05" 5 Aug Broadcast of
data-sort-value="2014-08-03" 28 Jul–3 Aug Ipsos MORI/STV 1,006 40% 54% 7% 14%
data-sort-value="2014-08-01" 30 Jul–1 Aug Survation/Mail on Sunday 1,000 40% 46% 14% 6%
data-sort-value="2014-07-28" 16–22 Jul Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,041 41% 48% 11% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-07-11" 7–11 Jul ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,002 34% 45% 21% 11%
data-sort-value="2014-07-09" 25 Jun–9 Jul TNS BMRB 995 32% 41% 27% 9%
data-sort-value="2014-07-08" 4–8 Jul Survation/Daily Record 1,013 41% 46% 13% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-06-29" 25–29 Jun YouGov/The Times 1,206 35% 54% 12% 19%
data-sort-value="2014-06-23" 10–23 Jun TNS BMRB/Scotland September 18 1,004 32% 46% 22% 14%
data-sort-value="2014-06-16" 16 Jun Release of the draft Scottish Independence Bill consultation paper[9]
data-sort-value="2014-06-16" 12–16 Jun YouGov/The Sun 1,039 36% 53% 11% 17%
data-sort-value="2014-06-12" 9–12 Jun ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,002 36% 43% 21% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-06-11" 9–11 Jun Panelbase/Yes Scotland 1,060 43% 46% 12% 3%
data-sort-value="2014-06-10" 6–10 Jun Survation/Daily Record 1,004 39% 44% 17% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-06-02" 2 Jun Release of Scottish Conservatives Strathclyde Commission Report[10]
data-sort-value="2014-06-01" 26 May–1 Jun Ipsos MORI/STV 1,003 36% 54% 10% 18%
data-sort-value="2014-05-30" 30 May Official Campaign Period begins
data-sort-value="2014-05-28" 21–28 May TNS BMRB 1,011 30% 42% 28% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-05-15" 12–15 May ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,003 34% 46% 20% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-05-14" 8–14 May Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,046 40% 47% 13% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-05-12" 9–12 May Survation/Daily Record 1,003 37% 47% 17% 10%
data-sort-value="2014-05-02" 23 Apr–2 May TNS BMRB 996 30% 42% 28% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-04-28" 25–28 Apr YouGov/Channel 4 1,208 37% 51% 12% 14%
data-sort-value="2014-04-16" 14–16 Apr ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,004 39% 42% 19% 3%
data-sort-value="2014-04-15" 11–15 Apr Survation/Sunday Post 1,001 38% 46% 16% 8%
data-sort-value="2014-04-09" 4–9 Apr Panelbase/Yes Scotland 1,024 40% 45% 15% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-04-07" 4–7 Apr Survation/Daily Record 1,002 37% 47% 16% 10%
data-sort-value="2014-04-04" 28 Mar–4 Apr Panelbase/Wings Over Scotland 1,025 41% 46% 14% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-04-02" 21 Mar–2 Apr TNS BMRB 988 29% 41% 30% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-03-24" 20–24 Mar YouGov/The Times 1,072 37% 52% 11% 15%
data-sort-value="2014-03-21" 17–21 Mar ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,010 39% 46% 15% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-03-18" 18 Mar Release of Scottish Labour Devolution Commission Report
data-sort-value="2014-03-14" 7–14 Mar Panelbase/Newsnet Scotland 1,036 40% 45% 15% 5%
data-sort-value="2014-03-09" 26 Feb–9 Mar TNS BMRB 1,019 28% 42% 30% 14%
data-sort-value="2014-03-07" 6–7 Mar Survation/Daily Record/Better Nation 1,002 39% 48% 13% 9%
data-sort-value="2014-02-28" 24–28 Feb YouGov/Scottish Sun 1,257 35% 53% 12% 18%
data-sort-value="2014-02-25" 20–25 Feb IpsosMORI/STV 1,001 32% 57% 11% 25%
data-sort-value="2014-02-21" 18–21 Feb Panelbase/Scottish National Party 1,022 37% 47% 16% 10%
data-sort-value="2014-02-21" 17–21 Feb ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,004 37% 49% 14% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-02-18" 17–18 Feb Survation/Scottish Daily Mail 1,005 38% 47% 16% 9%
data-sort-value="2014-02-13" 13 Feb Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech on currency union
data-sort-value="2014-02-06" 29 Jan–6 Feb Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,012 37% 49% 14% 12%
data-sort-value="2014-02-06" 28 Jan–6 Feb TNS BMRB 996 29% 42% 29% 13%
data-sort-value="2014-02-05" 3–5 Feb YouGov/The Sun 1,047 34% 52% 14% 18%
data-sort-value="2014-01-31" 29–31 Jan Survation/Mail on Sunday 1,010 32% 52% 16% 20%
data-sort-value="2014-01-27" 21–27 Jan YouGov 1,192 33% 52% 15% 19%
data-sort-value="2014-01-24" 21–24 Jan ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,004 37% 44% 19% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-01-20" 14–20 Jan TNS BMRB 1,054 29% 42% 29% 13%
data-sort-value="2014-01-20" 3–10 Jan TNS BMRB/BBC Scotland 1,008 28% 42% 30% 14%

2013

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2013-12-10" 3–10 Dec TNS BMRB 1,055 27% 41% 33% 14%
data-sort-value="2013-12-09" 6–9 Dec YouGov/The Times 1,074 36% 55% 10% 19%
data-sort-value="2013-12-05" 29 Nov–5 Dec Ipsos MORI/STV News 1,006 34% 57% 10% 23%
data-sort-value="2013-11-26" 26 Nov Release of Scotland's Future
data-sort-value="2013-11-27" 20–27 Nov TNS BMRB 1,004 26% 42% 32% 16%
data-sort-value="2013-11-20" 12–20 Nov Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,006 38% 47% 15% 9%
data-sort-value="2013-10-30" 23–30 Oct TNS BMRB 1,010 25% 43% 32% 18%
data-sort-value="2013-10-24" 17–24 Oct Panelbase/Wings Over Scotland 1,008 37% 45% 17% 8%
data-sort-value="2013-10-02" 25 Sep–2 Oct TNS BMRB 1,004 25% 44% 31% 19%
data-sort-value="2013-09-16" 13–16 Sep YouGov/The Times 1,139 32% 52% 13% 20%
data-sort-value="2013-09-15" 9–15 Sep Ipsos MORI/STV News 1,000 31% 59% 9% 28%
data-sort-value="2013-09-13" 10–13 Sep ICM/Scotland on Sunday 1,002 32% 49% 19% 17%
data-sort-value="2013-09-05" 30 Aug–5 Sep Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,002 37% 47%16% 10%
data-sort-value="2013-08-28" 23–28 Aug Panelbase/Scottish National Party 1,043 44% 43% 13% 1%
data-sort-value="2013-08-27" 21–27 Aug TNS BMRB 1,017 25% 47% 28% 22%
data-sort-value="2013-08-22" 19–22 Aug YouGov/Devo Plus 1,171 29% 59% 10% 30%
data-sort-value="2013-08-16" 16 Aug Angus Reid/Daily Express 549 34% 47% 19% 13%
data-sort-value="2013-07-24" 17–24 July Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,001 37% 46% 17% 9%
data-sort-value="2013-05-16" 10–16 May Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,004 36% 44% 20% 8%
data-sort-value="2013-05-05" 29 Apr–5 May Ipsos MORI/The Times 1,001 28% 57% 15% 29%
data-sort-value="2013-04-02" 20 Mar–2 Apr TNS BMRB 1,002 30% 51% 19% 21%
data-sort-value="2013-03-22" 18–22 Mar Panelbase/Sunday Times 885 36% 46% 18% 10%
data-sort-value="2013-02-28" 20–28 Feb TNS BMRB/Scottish CND 1,001 33% 52% 15% 19%
data-sort-value="2013-02-09" 4–9 Feb Ipsos MORI/The Times 1,003 32% 52% 16% 20%
data-sort-value="2013-02-01" 30 Jan–1 Feb Angus Reid 1,003 32% 47% 20% 15%
data-sort-value="2013-01-21" 11–21 Jan Panelbase/Sunday Times 1,004 34% 47% 19% 13%
data-sort-value="2013-01-09" 3–9 Jan TNS BMRB 1,012 28% 48% 24% 20%
data-sort-value="2013-01-04" 3–4 Jan Angus Reid 573 32% 50% 16% 18%

2012

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2012-10-24" 22–24 Oct YouGov/DC Thomson 1,004 29% 55% 14% 26%
data-sort-value="2012-10-19" 9–19 Oct Panelbase/Sunday Times 972 37% 45% 17% 8%
data-sort-value="2012-10-15" 15 Oct Edinburgh Agreement (2012)
data-sort-value="2012-10-15" 8–15 Oct Ipsos MORI/The Times 1,003 28% 52% 19% 24%
data-sort-value="2012-10-04" 26 Sep–4 Oct TNS BMRB 995 28% 53% 19% 25%
data-sort-value="2012-06-20" 17–20 Jun YouGov/Fabian Society 1,029 30% 54% 16% 24%
data-sort-value="2012-06-14" 7–14 Jun Ipsos MORI/The Times/The Sun 1,003 32% 55% 13% 20%
data-sort-value="2012-01-29" 27–29 Jan Ipsos MORI/The Times/The Sun 1,005 37% 50% 13% 13%
data-sort-value="2012-01-09" 9–11 Jan YouGov/The Sun 1,002 33% 53% 14% 20%

2011

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2011-10-27" 26–27 Oct YouGov/Scotsman 1,075 34% 52% 12% 18%
data-sort-value="2011-08-31" 24–31 Aug TNS BMRB/The Herald 1,007 39% 38% 23% 1%
data-sort-value="2011-08-29" 25–29 Aug Ipsos MORI 703 35% 60% 5% 25%
data-sort-value="2011-05-31" 25–31 May TNS BMRB/The Herald 1,022 37% 45% 18% 8%
data-sort-value="2011-05-05" 5 May 2011 Scottish Parliament election
data-sort-value="2011-04-29" 26–29 Apr YouGov/Scotsman 28% 57% 12% 29%

Other public polling

Two-option polling by other organisations

Some opinion polls were conducted by organisations that were not members of the British Polling Council and therefore not obliged to fully disclose their findings and methodology.

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" style="background:#D5D5D5"18 September 2014 2014 Scottish independence referendum results 3,623,344 44.7% 55.3% 10.6%
data-sort-value="2014-05-11" May 2014 Progressive Scottish Opinion/Sunday Mail[11] ??? 34% 54% 12% 20%
data-sort-value="2013-09-18" Sep 2013 Progressive Scottish Opinion/Mail on Sunday[12] ??? 27% 59% 14% 32%
data-sort-value="2013-05-09" Feb–May 2013 Lord Ashcroft Polls† 10,007 25% 65% 10% 39%

† The question should Scotland be an independent country? was the 26th asked question out of a total of 26.

Regional polling

ComRes conducted polls for ITV Border, surveying people in the council areas of Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway on how they would vote in an immediate referendum.[13]

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientSample sizeYesNoUndecided Lead
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" style="background:#D5D5D5"18 September 2014 2014 Scottish independence referendum results (Dumfries and Galloway) 106,775 34.3% 65.7% 31.4
data-sort-value="2014-09-17" style="background:#D5D5D5"18 September 2014 2014 Scottish independence referendum results (Scottish Borders) 83,526 33.4% 66.6% 33.2
data-sort-value="2014-06-15" 3–9 Sep 2014 ComRes/ITV Border 1,000 27% 56% 17% 29%
data-sort-value="2014-06-15" 9–15 Jun 2014 ComRes/ITV Border 1,001 26% 61% 13% 35%
data-sort-value="2014-01-31" 2–6 Jan 2014 ComRes/ITV Border 1,004 24% 59% 17% 35%

Three-option polling

Before the Edinburgh Agreement clarified that the referendum would be a straight yes or no question on the issue of independence, some three option opinion polls were conducted. The third option in these polls was some (undefined) form of increased devolution. YouGov occasionally asked the question following the Edinburgh Agreement.

Date(s)
conducted		Polling organisation/clientIndependenceDevo MaxStatus QuoUndecided
data-sort-value="2014-09-05" 2-5 Sep 2014 YouGov42%36% 14% 7%
data-sort-value="2014-03-24" 20-24 Mar 2014 YouGov31% 36%22% 11%
data-sort-value="2012-10-26" 26 Oct 2012 YouGov23% 41%25% 11%
data-sort-value="2012-06-14" 14 Jun 2012 Ipsos MORI27% 41%29% 4%
data-sort-value="2012-01-13" 13 Jan 2012 ICM26% 26% 33%10%
data-sort-value="2011-11-01" 1 Nov 2011 TNS BMRB28% 33%29% 10%

Demographic polling

Polling indicated higher support for independence among male voters, voters under the age of 55 and voters from economically deprived areas, compared to higher support for the Union among female voters, voters over the age of 55 and voters living in affluent areas.[14] [15]

In June 2013, a poll of over 1,000 14- to 17-year-olds conducted by the University of Edinburgh found that 21% supported independence, 60% supported the Union, and 19% were undecided.[16] [17] Only 17% of the teenagers' households said they would vote yes in the referendum, however, which led the Newsnet Scotland website to question the accuracy of the opinion poll.[18] A similar poll by the University of Edinburgh in June 2014 found that support for independence was 29%, opposition 52% and 19% were undecided.[19]

Polling on individual topics

A survey by Ipsos Mori for STV News in June 2014 found that 51% of voters thought that Yes Scotland had been the more effective campaign, compared to 23% who thought that Better Together had performed better.[20]

Opinion polling showed a majority in favour of giving control of welfare policy to the Scottish Parliament.[21] [22] [23] [24]

Early in 2013, an opinion poll commissioned by the Press and Journal found 8% of people in Shetland and Orkney supported the islands themselves becoming fully independent countries, with 82% against.[25]

Polling on hypothetical situations

Opinion polls also asked for attitudes in various hypothetical situations, such as if how would voters would view the referendum if they believed that the Conservatives or Labour were likely to win the 2015 UK general election.[26] An ICM poll in April 2014 found that the no lead would be 8 points (44–36) if voters thought Labour would win, while the no lead would be 1 point (42–41) if they thought the Conservatives would win.[27] Other hypothetical scenarios included if voters thought the UK was likely to leave the European Union,[28] and if people believed independence would make them £500 better or worse off per year.[29] In August 2013, a Panelbase poll commissioned by pro-independence blog Wings Over Scotland asked voters various questions, such as whether they would vote to join the Union in the hypothetical scenario that Scotland was already an independent country. 18% of voters said they would join the Union, whereas 55% of voters said they would choose for Scotland to remain independent.[30]

Private polling

In June 2013, private research conducted on behalf of Yes Scotland reportedly showed "evidence of growing support for independence" among women and young people, based on "a sample several times the size of a conventional poll" and "a well-designed series of questions building on a rolling monthly basis going back to last January".[31] Better Together demanded that a full report of the research should be published, but Yes Scotland refused to publish it on the basis that private research is not covered by British Polling Council regulations.[32] The SNP researched voting intentions for the referendum while canvassing in Aberdeen Donside for the 2013 by-election; their survey showed 34% of people intending to vote for independence, 29% of people intending to vote for the Union and 37% undecided.[33] The SNP also researched voting intentions for the referendum before the 2014 Cowdenbeath by-election.[34]

A poll by the Scottish Tourism Alliance of members attending its annual conference in March 2014 found 60% would vote no and 32% would vote yes.[35] A poll by Carrington Dean of 1,042 teens aged between 15 and 17 showed 64 percent of them to be worried about the outlook for the economy in an independent Scotland, against only 17 percent who were not concerned.[36]

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) conducted two polls in April 2014, showing that 60% of its Scottish members would vote 'no', with 26.3% saying 'yes'.[37]

In January 2014, the UK Government spent £46,500 on private opinion polling to be conducted by Ipsos MORI.[38] By July 2014, the UK Government had spent £299,100 on opinion polls regarding Scottish independence during 2014.[39]

School, college and university surveys

Schools, colleges and universities across Scotland conducted polls and mock referendums to gauge the opinion of pupils and students.[40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] In September 2013, a survey of over 11,000 Aberdeenshire schoolchildren eligible to vote in the referendum returned 75.5% against independence, with 19 out of 20 schools involved voting 'no'.[48] [49] In June 2014, a survey of 964 Moray senior pupils eligible to vote in the referendum voted against independence by 71%, with 7 out of 8 schools involved voting 'no'.[50]

Polling in the rest of the United Kingdom

Opinion polls were also conducted in the rest of the United Kingdom in relation to the Scottish independence referendum. People in the rest of the United Kingdom were polled on a variety of issues such as further devolution for Wales, an English parliament, the Trident nuclear missiles, and currency.

A February 2012 opinion poll in Wales showed a rise in support for stronger powers for its National Assembly if Scotland should choose to be independent.[51] A poll on the same subject in June 2014 found that 61% of Welsh voters thought Scottish independence should make no difference to the constitutional position of Wales, while 17% favoured greater devolved powers and 14% supported independence for Wales.[52] Professor Roger Scully of Cardiff University said it was possible that this poll showed that Welsh voters placed greater importance on the union between England and Wales, rather than the unity of the whole United Kingdom.[52] A poll of Welsh voters in April 2014 found 62% were opposed to Scottish independence, with 16% in favour.[53]

A YouGov survey conducted in April 2014 found that although clear majorities of English (59% – 19%) and Welsh (61% – 19%) voters were opposed to Scottish independence, the majority of English voters (56%) and a plurality of Welsh voters (48%) supported cutting the amount of public spending in Scotland. Commenting on the poll, Professor Scully said that it showed that although English and Welsh voters had a similar view on the question of Scottish independence, the English were tougher in their attitude to future relations within the UK.[54]

The British Social Attitudes Survey conducted in 2013 found that a majority (63%) in England and Wales thought that the Trident nuclear missiles should either definitely or probably be moved from an independent Scotland, which was greater than the number in Scotland who thought that the UK should be required to move the missiles.[55] Professor Curtice said this was probably because the English and Welsh public would prefer to have the missiles in their territory, rather than holding them in another state.[55] Majorities in the survey also favoured allowing an independent Scotland to have the same monarch as England (65%) and to continue using the BBC (82%).[55]

Polls in both Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom by Panelbase showed majority support for a televised debate between British Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.[56] [57] A poll of FTSE 100 company chairmen found that 65% believed Scottish independence would be bad for business, while 24% believed it would be good.[58]

Currency

A number of polls amongst English and Welsh people were conducted to ascertain feelings on Scotland continuing to use the Pound Sterling - be it as part of a currency union or not. Although the question varied in some of the polls, the YouGov question asked: "If Scotland did become independent would you support or oppose an independent Scotland continuing to use the pound as their currency?" The Guardian/ICM poll asked "If Scotland becomes independent, the residual UK should: Refuse a currency union, negotiate a currency union or don't know?"

Date(s)
conducted! rowspan="2"
Polling organisation/clientOpposeSupportUndecided
data-sort-value="2012-10-26" 15 Sep 2014 Guardian/ICM63%27% 10%
data-sort-value="2012-10-26" 28 Aug 2014 Daily Express/Springboard44%22% 34%
data-sort-value="2012-10-26" 11 Jun 2014 FT/Populus63%21% 16%
data-sort-value="2012-06-14" 11 Apr 2014 YouGov53%26% 21%
data-sort-value="2012-06-14" 13-14 Feb 2014 YouGov58%23% 20%
data-sort-value="2012-10-26" 28-29 Nov 2013 YouGov43%38% 19%

Although the rest of the United Kingdom did not have a vote on Scottish independence, the proposal of a currency union by the Yes campaign was rejected by the British government and the Bank of England.[59] Some writers speculated that in the event of independence, a currency union would have been a key issue in the 2015 UK general election and may require a referendum.[60] [61] [62] [63]

YouGov conducted some polls in the rest of the United Kingdom asking whether an independent Scotland should be allowed to form a currency union with them. In November 2013, 43% opposed a currency union and 38% supported it.[64] In February 2014, after George Osborne said that a currency union would not be allowed, opposition to a currency union increased to 58%.[64] A further poll in April 2014 found that 53% of respondents were opposed to a currency union, with 26% in favour.[65] A Guardian/ICM poll in September 2014, on the eve of the referendum, found that disagreement had increased further. 63% of English and Welsh people believing that the United Kingdom should refuse to negotiate a currency union, while 27% supported the idea of a currency union.[66]

An opinion poll commissioned by the SNP in December 2013 found that 71% of respondents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland agreed that "if independence does happen [...] Scotland and the rest of the UK should continue using the pound in an agreed sterling area".[67] The annual British Social Attitudes Survey found that, in the summer of 2013, a total of 69% of people in England and Wales thought that an independent Scotland should either definitely (38%) or probably (31%) be allowed to continue to use sterling.[55] Professor John Curtice said that this suggested the later opinion polls showing opposition to a currency union were the result of UK politicians saying it was a bad idea, rather than the public being opposed in principle.[55]

Historical polling

Two-way polling

Respondents were asked "In a referendum on independence for Scotland, how would you vote?", with the options "I agree that Scotland should become an independent country" and "I do not agree that Scotland should become an independent country". These polls indicated the following levels of support for Scotland to be an independent country each year:[68] [69]

YearAgreeDisagreeLead
data-sort-value="2009" 200940% 52% 12%
data-sort-value="2007" 200739.5% 45% 5.5%
data-sort-value="2006" 2006 51% 39% 12%
data-sort-value="2001" 200145% 49% 4%
data-sort-value="2000" 2000 47% 43% 4%
data-sort-value="1999" 199943.5% 46% 2.5%
data-sort-value="1998" 1998 52% 39.5% 12.5%

Three-way polling

During the late 1970s and 1980s, MORI conducted opinion polls on whether Scots wanted full independence, devolution or the status quo. During this period, devolution was the preferred option in each opinion poll, although support for independence increased.

Date(s)
conducted 		Polling organisation/clientIndependenceDevolutionStatus QuoUndecided
data-sort-value="1978-4-5"5 Apr 1978 MORI 20% 52% 25% 4%
data-sort-value="1979-3-1"March 1979 MORI 14% 42% 35% 9%
data-sort-value="1979-5-3"3 May 1979 1979 United Kingdom general election
data-sort-value="1981-2-1"February 1981 MORI 25% 46% 30% 0%
data-sort-value="1981-5-1"May 1981 MORI 25% 50% 25% 0%
data-sort-value="1981-9-1"September 1981 MORI 23% 47% 31% 0%
data-sort-value="1981-11-1"November 1981 MORI 22% 47% 26% 5%
data-sort-value="1982-2-1"February 1982 MORI 23% 53% 19% 5%
data-sort-value="1982-4-1"April 1982 MORI 22% 45% 27% 6%
data-sort-value="1982-11-1"November 1982 MORI 22% 47% 26% 5%
data-sort-value="1983-3-1"March 1983 MORI 23% 48% 26% 2%
data-sort-value="1983-6-4"4 Jun 1983 MORI 23% 51% 22% 4%
data-sort-value="1983-6-9"9 Jun 1983 1983 United Kingdom general election
data-sort-value="1984-3-1"29 Feb-1 Mar 1984MORI 25% 45% 27% 3%
data-sort-value="1986-2-24"24-25 Feb 1986MORI 33% 47% 14% 6%
data-sort-value="1987-3-6"6-7 Mar 1987MORI 32% 50% 15% 3%
data-sort-value="1987-5-1"May 1987MORI 29% 41% 25% 5%
data-sort-value="1987-6-11"11 Jun 1987 1987 United Kingdom general election
data-sort-value="1988-4-1"April 1988MORI 35% 42% 20% 3%

Four-way polling

Between 1988 and 1995, MORI polled voters on independence giving four opinions: independence inside the European Economic Community (European Union after 1992), independence outside the organisation, devolution and the status quo.

Date(s)
conducted 		Polling organisation/clientIndependence outside the EECIndependence inside the EECDevolutionStatus QuoUndecided
data-sort-value="1988-12-3"1-3 Dec 1988MORI 10% 24% 46% 16% 4%
data-sort-value="1989-2-28"25-28 Feb 1989MORI 11% 24% 42% 20% 3%
data-sort-value="1989-6-1"1-2 Jun 1989MORI 12% 22% 49% 15% 2%
data-sort-value="1989-9-13"11-13 Sep 1989MORI 9% 27% 44% 18% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-2-28"22-28 Feb 1990MORI 10% 24% 44% 19% 3%
data-sort-value="1990-5-20"15-20 May 1990MORI 8% 29% 45% 16% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-6-18"14-18 Jun 1990MORI 10% 28% 43% 17% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-7-22"19-22 Jul 1990MORI 10% 27% 44% 16% 3%
data-sort-value="1990-8-20"16-20 Aug 1990MORI 7% 31% 44% 16% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-9-23"19-23 Sep 1990MORI 9% 28% 44% 17% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-10-22"18-22 Oct 1990MORI 9% 30% 44% 15% 2%
data-sort-value="1990-11-18"15-18 Nov 1990MORI 9% 28% 45% 17% 1%
data-sort-value="1990-11-29"29 Nov 1990 Margaret Thatcher resigns as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
data-sort-value="1990-12-10"5-10 Dec 1990MORI 7% 25% 49% 17% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-1-20"17-20 Jan 1991MORI 7% 28% 42% 21% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-2-24"21-24 Feb 1991MORI 10% 23% 45% 20% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-3-24"21-24 Mar 1991MORI 8% 27% 42% 21% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-3-25"7-25 Mar 1991MORI 9% 23% 51% 16% 1%
data-sort-value="1991-4-20"18-20 Apr 1991MORI 9% 28% 42% 19% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-5-27"23-27 May 1991MORI 7% 26% 45% 19% 3%
data-sort-value="1991-6-24"20-24 Jun 1991MORI 8% 26% 47% 17% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-7-22"18-22 Jul 1991MORI 8% 28% 43% 18% 3%
data-sort-value="1991-8-26"22-26 Aug 1991MORI 9% 26% 47% 17% 1%
data-sort-value="1991-9-23"19-23 Sep 1991MORI 9% 26% 45% 17% 3%
data-sort-value="1991-10-21"17-21 Oct 1991MORI 9% 28% 46% 15% 2%
data-sort-value="1991-11-25"21-25 Nov 1991MORI 8% 26% 47% 16% 3%
data-sort-value="1991-12-16"12-16 Dec 1991MORI 9% 31% 40% 17% 3%
data-sort-value="1992-1-20"16-20 Jan 1992MORI 9% 31% 42% 15% 3%
data-sort-value="1992-2-24"20-24 Feb 1992MORI 7% 29% 37% 23% -
data-sort-value="1992-3-12"12 Mar 1992MORI 8% 26% 42% 20% -
data-sort-value="1992-3-19"19 Mar 1992MORI 8% 26% 42% 23% -
data-sort-value="1992-3-26"26 Mar 1992MORI 7% 27% 44% 20% -
data-sort-value="1992-4-2"2 Apr 1992MORI 6% 22% 45% 23% -
data-sort-value="1992-4-9"9 Apr 1992 1992 United Kingdom general election
data-sort-value="1992-4-27"23-27 Apr 1992MORI 5% 22% 47% 25% 1%
data-sort-value="1992-5-25"21-25 May 1992MORI 5% 23% 48% 21% 3%
data-sort-value="1992-6-22"18-22 Jun 1992MORI 5% 29% 40% 23% 3%
data-sort-value="1992-7-27"23-27 Jul 1992MORI 7% 28% 41% 21% 3%
data-sort-value="1995-5-8"21 Apr-8 May 1995MORI 9% 20% 52% 17% 2%

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.bailii.org/scot/legis/num_act/2013/asp_201314_en_1.html Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013 (Scot)
  2. "Factbox - Scotland's independence vote: How will the results come?" Reuters Sept 17, 2014
  3. News: YouGov referendum prediction: YES 46%, NO 54%. 18 Sep 2014. YouGov. 2014-04-19.
  4. News: Q&A: Scottish independence row. BBC News. BBC. 17 January 2012. 19 January 2012.
  5. Web site: Who will turn up and who will stay home? The potential impact of differences in turnout . What Scotland Thinks . Jan . Eichhorn . 1 May 2014 . 2 May 2014.
  6. Web site: John Curtice. Poll of Polls: 5 September updated. 12 September 2014.
  7. News: Scotland poll tracker methodology . BBC News . BBC . 28 May 2014 . 29 May 2014.
  8. Web site: The Wee Blue Book . Wings Over Scotland . Aug 2014 . 11 August 2014.
  9. Web site: Scottish Independence Bill: A consultation on an interim constitution for Scotland . The Scottish Government. June 2014 . 1 July 2014.
  10. Web site: Commission on the Future Governance of Scotland . Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party . May 2014 . 12 June 2014 . 2 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140602201248/http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Strathclyde_Commission_14.pdf . dead .
  11. Web site: Progressive: Big Swing to Yes but Yes Still Far Behind! . www.whatscotlandthings.org . 11 May 2014 . 12 May 2014.
  12. Web site: Scottish Independence polling extravaganza . www.ukpollingreport.co.uk . 18 September 2013 . 12 May 2014.
  13. Web site: Latest opinion poll results for D&G and the Borders . ITV Border . ITV . 17 June 2014 . 17 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140618014633/http://www.itv.com/news/border/2014-06-17/latest-opinion-poll-results-for-d-g-and-the-borders/ . 2014-06-18 . dead .
  14. Web site: Support for independence bounces back. 13 February 2013 . 13 February 2013.
  15. Web site: Indyref poll: gap narrows to 10 points, but women retreat. 2013-03-24. 2013-04-01.
  16. News: Alex Salmond's dream of a separate Scotland is rapidly falling apart . Fraser . Nelson . The Daily Telegraph. 7 June 2013.
  17. News: Scottish independence: Study suggests most 16- and 17-year-olds would vote 'no'. BBC News. 2 June 2013 . 8 June 2013.
  18. Web site: Just how reliable is the teenage independence poll? . newsnetscotland.com . 4 June 2013 . 22 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130610065440/http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/referendum/7504-just-how-reliable-is-the-teenage-independence-poll . 10 June 2013 . dead .
  19. News: Scottish independence: Young voters shift to Yes . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 6 June 2014 . 6 June 2014.
  20. Web site: 'Yes' campaign seen as more effective than 'Better Together' . www.ipsos-mori.com . 9 June 2014 . 9 June 2014.
  21. Web site: YouGov/Times Survey Results. 16 September 2013. 4 February 2014.
  22. Web site: Support for Scottish independence at lowest level since devolution. 23 January 2013. 4 February 2014.
  23. Web site: New poll shows a majority want all financial and welfare decisions to be made in Scotland. 22 March 2013. 4 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140302043214/http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/7013-new-poll-shows-a-majority-want-all-financial-and-welfare-decisions-to-be-made-in-scotland. 2 March 2014. dead.
  24. Web site: Wings over Scotland Scottish Poll (Independence) 6th August 2013. 6 August 2013 .
  25. Web site: Northern Isles are Scottish, say islanders. www.newsnetscotland.com. 17 April 2013. 2 September 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131006145848/http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/7203-northern-isles-are-scottish-say-islanders. 6 October 2013.
  26. News: Tory win 'influences Scottish vote'. Belfast Telegraph. 21 October 2012. 21 October 2012. INM.
  27. News: Scots 'are driven to vote Yes by Tory success' . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 21 April 2014 . 21 April 2014 . Andrew . Whitaker.
  28. Web site: Poll: Possible EU withdrawal could boost independence support. 19 May 2013. 21 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114548/http://news.stv.tv/politics/225950-poll-possible-eu-withdrawal-could-boost-scottish-independence-support/. 4 March 2016. dead.
  29. http://www.scotcen.org.uk/study/scottish-social-attitudes-2011 Study – Scottish Social Attitudes 2011
  30. Web site: In, out, and shaking it all about. 8 August 2013. 11 February 2014.
  31. Web site: Yes Scotland says women and young shifting to independence. 17 June 2013. 22 June 2013.
  32. News: The Herald . Herald & Times Group . Yes camp faces calls to publish 2014 poll results. 18 June 2013. 22 June 2013.
  33. Web site: By-election indyref survey: Yes 34, No 29, Don't know 37. 21 June 2013. 22 June 2013.
  34. Web site: Labour supporters "susceptible to voting Yes" . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103826/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2014/jan/labour-supporters-susceptible-voting-yes . dead . 24 September 2015 . www.snp.org . Scottish National Party . 24 January 2014 . 6 April 2014 .
  35. News: Scots tourism industry rejects independence in vote . Brian . Ferguson . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 13 March 2014 . 22 April 2014.
  36. Web site: Scottish teens worried about economy if Scotland votes 'Yes'. www.carringtondean.com. 7 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151210183916/https://www.carringtondean.com/blog/2014/may/scottish-teens-worried-about-economy-if-scotland-votes-yes/. 2015-12-10. dead.
  37. Web site: Another trade union backs Scotland's place in the UK. 27 April 2014. 2014-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050633/http://bettertogether.net/blog/entry/another-trade-union-backs-scotlands-place-in-the-uk. 2014-04-29. dead.
  38. News: Independence poll 'blocked by Westminster' . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 13 May 2014 . 13 May 2014.
  39. News: SNP anger over £300,000 spent on unpublished polls . Scotland on Sunday . Johnston Publishing . 6 July 2014 . 6 July 2014.
  40. Web site: Pupils vote in mock Scottish referendum for School Report . BBC News . BBC . 27 March 2014.
  41. Web site: Scottish independence: Glasgow students 'vote' on the referendum . BBC News . BBC . 10 March 2014 . 20 April 2014.
  42. Web site: Glasgow Caledonian students say No to independence . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing .
  43. News: Students reject question of Scottish independence. The Times. 8 September 2014. MacDonell. Hamish.
  44. News: Carrell . Severin . 22 February 2013 . Glasgow students reject independence in mock referendum by large margin . The Guardian .
  45. Web site: Majority of students vote 'no' to Scottish Independence.
  46. Web site: Pupils say YES at Prestwick Academy News Ayr Advertiser . 2014-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203940/http://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/ayr/articles/2014/01/24/485700-pupils-say-yes-at-prestwick-academy/ . 2014-06-06 . dead .
  47. Web site: Kilwinning students run mock independence referendum .
  48. News: Scottish independence polls blow for SNP . The Scotsman . Johnston Publishing . 19 September 2013.
  49. Web site: Aberdeenshire Schools Referendum on Scottish Independence. 30 September 2013. 2014-04-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20140501021443/http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/elections/ASRIS.asp. 2014-05-01. dead.
  50. News: Schools mock referendum result . 19 June 2014 . 2014-06-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812203710/http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_news/news_93837.html . 2014-08-12 . dead .
  51. Web site: Matt Withers . Voters would say "No" to an independent Wales: poll – Wales News – News . 2 February 2012 . WalesOnline . 11 October 2012.
  52. News: Scottish vote 'no change' for Wales suggests BBC poll . BBC News . BBC . 15 June 2014 . 15 June 2014.
  53. News: Wales says no to Scottish independence: our exclusive YouGov poll . Graham . Henry . 19 April 2014 . 20 April 2014 . www.walesonline.co.uk . Media Wales.
  54. Web site: Cut public spending in Scotland if it stays in UK, poll told . BBC News . BBC . 20 August 2014 . 20 August 2014.
  55. News: Scottish independence: Scots and English 'willing to share institutions' . BBC News . BBC . 17 June 2014 . 17 June 2014.
  56. News: Poll reveals Scots and English want Salmond and Cameron to debate indyref . Tom . Gordon . 5 January 2014 . 25 April 2014 . The Herald . Herald & Times Group.
  57. Web site: BBC News . BBC . Scottish independence: Cameron again rejects Salmond TV debate challenge . 5 January 2014 . 5 January 2014.
  58. Web site: Majority of FTSE chairmen oppose Scottish independence – poll . www.uk.reuters.com . Reuters . 24 February 2014 . 22 April 2014.
  59. Web site: Scottish independence: currency union 'incompatible with sovereignty' . The Guardian . 9 September 2014 . 16 September 2014.
  60. Web site: A post-dissolution currency union will not be 'scot-free' . LSE . 8 September 2014 . 2014-09-16.
  61. Web site: What impact would Scottish 'Yes' vote have on the UK? . University of Bath . 2014-09-16.
  62. Web site: UK could hold referendum on Scotland currency union . Bradby . Tom . ITV News . 8 September 2014 . 2014-09-18.
  63. Web site: English, Welsh and Northern Irish 'would need to approve Scottish currency union in second referendum' . Johnson . Simon . Daily Telegraph . 27 November 2013 . 2014-09-18.
  64. Web site: Opposition to Currency Union Rises Sharply.
  65. News: Non-Scots against independence currency union idea. McNab. Scott. 11 April 2014. The Scotsman. 11 April 2014. Johnston Publishing.
  66. Web site: Independent Scotland should not use pound, say 63% of English and Welsh. 15 September 2014. 2014-09-15. The Guardian.
  67. Web site: Rest of UK backs independent Scotland keeping the pound, poll shows. 29 December 2013. 31 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150106075500/http://news.stv.tv/politics/258520-rest-of-uk-backs-independent-scotland-keeping-the-pound-poll-shows/. 6 January 2015. dead.
  68. Web site: A Crisis of the Union. Paul Cairney. 19 March 2018. 20 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320044036/https://paulcairney.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/paul-cairney-a-crisis-of-the-union.pdf. live.
  69. Book: The Scottish Political System Since Devolution: From New Politics to the New Scottish Government. 30 January 2012. Paul Cairney. 9781845403386. 22 March 2018. 22 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220522172702/https://books.google.com/books?id=gYi7BAAAQBAJ&dq=Adapted+from+Curtice&pg=PA2011-IA129. live.

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