A MAJORITY of Scots back Holyrood having the powers to negotiate and legislate for independence, according to a new poll.
The survey, carried out by FindOutNow on behalf of the Alba Party, found nearly six in 10 Scots – 57.5% – agree or strongly agree with the proposal, excluding don’t knows.
Around a third said they did not back the idea, with 10.8% saying they disagreed and 22% saying they strongly disagreed.
The poll comes ahead of a consultation closing on Thursday on a proposal that Scots should be asked whether Holyrood should have the power to trigger independence talks.
READ MORE: Tory MP backs bill to devolve Scottish independence referendum powers
Alba MSP Ash Regan is looking to get a draft member’s bill proposed to the Scottish Parliament on plans to hold a vote on the 10th anniversary of indyref1 – September 18, 2024.
She has written to all MSPs asking them to support her proposal to hold a referendum but to date none have publicly backed her calls.
However earlier this month she said a minister in the Scottish Government and two SNP MSPs support the plan.
Commenting on the survey results Regan, who is Alba’s Holyrood leader, said: “Scotland’s future should be in Scotland’s hands. Holding a referendum on whether or not the Scottish Parliament should have the powers to negotiate for and legislate for independence will allow us to unblock the constitutional logjam we’ve had in front of us for many years.
READ MORE: Expert verdicts on claim Supreme Court indyref2 ruling was 'overreach'
“It is clear that an overwhelming majority of the Scottish public would back the Parliament having these powers so I would be confident we would secure a Yes vote in a referendum.
“We know that Westminster will continue to say ‘no’ to agreeing to a referendum so it’s time to stop relying on the UK Government to progress the case for independence, we must use our own parliament to take Scotland forward to independence.”
She added: “Humza Yousaf and the Scottish Government should now embrace the proposal to hold a referendum on the powers of the parliament.
“I have set the plan out for them, showed them that it has the backing of the people of Scotland, and they should now help deliver the referendum by giving it their backing.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel