If the plebiscite were held today, 53% would vote ‘No’ and 47% ‘Yes’, compared to 55.3 and 44.7%, respectively, in 2014, the survey indicates.
The Scottish National Party (SNP), ruling in Scotland, begins its 87th annual congress this Friday with the aim of instilling optimism in the grassroots with the idea of holding an independence referendum in 2023, despite the fact that this option has lost support in the recent polls among the electorate, as well as, slightly, the leader of the formation, Nicola Sturgeon.
The latest survey published shows a drop in popularity for Sturgeon – pressured by internal economic and social issues – which drops 40 points compared to 2020, although it remains positive at +12 and remains unrivaled among Scottish political leaders and within its match.
The vice president of the SNP, Keith Brown, has called to aspire for a future “based on optimism and ambition”, in advance statements before his intervention before the delegates, who he will ask to ignore “the negativity and lack of vision” of Scotland’s “unionist” parties – such as Conservatives and Labor – supporters of staying in the UK.
As it did in another congress in September, the SNP will meet from today until next Monday, when Sturgeon intervenes, telematically, due to the pandemic.
According to his agenda, the nationalists, who remained within a seat of the absolute majority in the autonomous elections of 2021 and govern in alliance with the Greens, will tackle their project of “self-determination”, “the decentralization of power” from London, “the just transition to a green economy “and” the fight against gender violence and the safety of women in society “.
The conference will confirm the SNP’s commitment that Scotland “would rejoin the European Union” if independence were achieved, so the formation wants to preserve “close ties with the European Parliament,” dictates its agenda.
Delegates will discuss the independence project, which includes the creation of a new currency “as soon as possible” and a Central Bank of Scotland.
Last September, Sturgeon announced his intention to call before the end of 2023 a second independence plebiscite, after the one they lost in 2014, for which he must request authorization from the British Government, led by the conservative Boris Johnson – which has already been shown against-.
Setback in polls
According to the latest poll published on Thursday by the firm YouGov, the majority of the electorate would not support the proposed schedule of holding another consultation in 2023, as long as the pandemic allows it.
60% of Scots are against having a referendum on that date; 27% are favorable and 13% are undecided.
However, the result changes if it is proposed to organize a referendum “in the next five years”, before the next elections: 46% would agree, 41% against and 13% undecided.
If the plebiscite were held today, 53% would vote ‘No’ and 47% ‘Yes’, compared to 55.3 and 44.7%, respectively, in 2014, the survey indicates. The average in the last quarter places Yes at 48.3% and No at 51.7%.
The same survey indicates that independence is not among the priorities of the region, which are Health (57%), Economy (39%) and Education (35%).
Sturgeon, who has confirmed his willingness to remain in the political front line after seven years in power, will close the congress with a speech on the future of Scotland. (I)
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