SCOTS would vote to leave the Union should an independence referendum be held tomorrow, and there would be a pro-independence majority at Holyrood, a new poll has found.
A survey by Norstat, published on Saturday evening by The Sunday Times, found that 53% of Scots would vote for Scottish independence, with 47% saying they would vote to remain in the Union once undecided voters and those unlikely to vote were excluded.
It comes days after The National’s survey, carried out by the polling firm Find Out Now, which found that once undecided voters were removed, Yes posted a four-point lead over No, by 52% to 48%.
Elsewhere, the Norstat survey found that SNP remains on course to win the Holyrood 2026 election, with 34% of voters planning to back them.
Polling showed Reform would climb to second place on 20% with Labour falling to just 17%.
On the regional list, 29% of voters are planning to vote SNP, with Reform and Labour tied on 18%.
Seat calculations by John Curtice, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, predicted that if the polling numbers were repeated in seven months time, the results would see Labour narrowly hold off Reform to become Holyrood’s main opposition party.
Curtice’s predictions said that the SNP would emerge with 59 seats, six short of a majority, with Labour returning 20 MSPs and Reform 19.
Norstat polling puts the Tories on 10% of support in constituencies and 13% on the regional list, leaving them with half the number of seats they currently hold at just 14.
Meanwhile, the LibDems would have 10 seats and the Scottish Greens seven.
Support has risen for both parties as the Scottish LibDems have gained 11% in constituencies and 10% on the regional list, with the Greens picking up 7% and 8%.
With support for the Greens on the up, it would mean that there would be a narrow pro-independence majority at Holyrood.
Following the polling, SNP depute leader Keith Brown welcomed the news that his party is within touching distance of an outright majority at next year's Scottish Parliament elections.
“With a majority of voters backing Scottish independence, every vote will be crucial to secure a pro-independence SNP majority at the election - and to re-elect a strong SNP government that will always stand up for Scotland and protect families from Labour Party austerity cuts,” he said.
“Voters are angry that Keir Starmer has broken his promises. We were told we would be better off but under Starmer the UK has gone from bad to worse.
“The cost of living is soaring, UK unemployment is at a four-year high, the UK economy has been downgraded, public finances have deteriorated - and families are struggling as energy bills, food prices and inflation all rise.
“It's no wonder Keir Starmer is a lame duck leader, with his own colleagues plotting to oust him, when he has so badly betrayed the trust that voters placed in him.
“While the bitterly-divided Labour Party is in crisis, the SNP is focused on delivering for Scotland and offering the opportunity of a fresh start from Broken Brexit Britain with independence.”
Norstat polled 1010 Scottish voters between September 22 and 25.
