PRESSURE was mounting last night for the unionist parties in Holyrood to drop their threat to block a referendum on independence after an ICM survey of more than 1,000 Scots revealed that 58 per cent want a poll to go ahead in the next year.
But while most people want the chance to have their say on the Union, the survey also showed that a majority of Scots oppose independence.
SNP ministers plan to introduce a referendum bill into parliament next year. However, Labour, the Conservati
ves and Liberal Democrats have already served notice that they will block it.
The SNP has vowed to plough on with its National Conversation on the future of the Union, with deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon fielding questions from the public in Dundee yesterday.
But concerns were being raised last night over the wording of the independence referendum question proposed by the Nationalists.
Responding to the SNP-worded
question: "The Scottish Government should negotiate a settlement with the government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state, yes or no?" 42 per cent replied yes and 50 per cent said no.
The number in support of the SNP position was in marked contrast to another ICM question poll of the same people earlier this week which revealed just 28 per cent support for independence and led to accusations that the Nationalists' proposed referendum question "is rigged".
However, SNP constitution minister Mike Russell, who chaired the National Conversation event in Dundee, said that the 42 per cent support showed that opinion was swinging the separatists' way.
He pointed out that it was higher than the 36 per cent support in April 2007.
"Scotland is in a process of independence, and support for an independent Scotland is stronger now than when the SNP took office – recording a six point swing since the last ICM poll just before the 2007 election," he said.
"Achieving the same rate of progress would see independence emerge as the winning option in a referendum.
"That is extremely encouraging, as is the clear majority support for a referendum."
He went on to challenge the Unionist parties to heed the poll on having a referendum and "let the people decide".
But the leaders of the unionist parties in the Scottish Parliament insisted they would stick by their opposition to a referendum, despite rumours that the Tories in Westminster are considering supporting one.
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said, despite the variations caused by the wording of the question, the poll showed once again how consistent support was for the Union in Scotland.
And he was not swayed by the majority support for a referendum and said the SNP had missed their opportunity.
"A year ago Labour offered the SNP a referendum on a straight question and they ran away," he said. "Alex Salmond will only ever consider a referendum that is rigged. It is only right people want a say in how the country is run, but I believe their top priority now is economic recovery. That is what Labour is focusing on and so should the SNP."
Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie added that if voters want independence they will have their chance to vote for it in the next general election.
"The latest opinion polls confirm support for independence is at an all-time low and support for Scotland as part of Britain is at an all time high," she said.
"Devolution is the settled will of the Scottish people. Election after election and poll after poll tells us so."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott said that the variety of opinions in the polls supported his party's contention that devolution "is a process not an event".
"People's hunger for change is clear to see," he said. "The appetite for more powers for the Scottish Parliament has never been greater. We need a different approach. The Scottish Parliament must be able to use its powers for a purpose, bringing the new jobs and investment that Scotland needs."
