Support for Scottish independence has slipped following the SNP 's party conference, according to a new opinion poll.
Conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, on behalf of Politico, the poll asked 1,000 Scottish voters about a number of issues regarding independence.
The survey revealed that 47 per cent of those asked opposed breaking away from the UK, while 44 per cent wanted to be an independence country.
There were nine per cent who were undecided.
Of the voters polled 43 per cent said there should only be a second referendum if the Westminster government agrees to having one, while 38 per cent disagreed.
If the 'don't knows' or 'don't hold an opinion either way' are excluded from the polling then a small majority (53 per cent) believe Westminster should have the final call.
It is the SNP's preference to reach an agreement with the Tory Government over holding another vote on the constitution.
The latest poll shows support to end the Union slipping after a poll by Opinium earlier this month revealed that 51 per cent would vote Yes, while 49 per cent would vote No.
Nicola Sturgeon said she intends to hold a vote by the end of 2023 and once the coronavirus pandemic is under control, however many independence supporters have called for it to happen in the next year.
Just 34 per cent of the 1,000 people asked in the poll want a vote in the next year. 50 per cent were against the idea.
If a vote was to take place in the next five years then 41 per cent approve, while 42 per cent were against.
The new poll will come as a blow to Sturgeon's party after its Autumn virtual conference earlier this month.
At the gathering, the First Minister said: "It is in that spirit of co-operation that I hope the Scottish and UK governments can reach agreement - as we did in 2014 - to allow the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland to be heard and respected
“But, this much is clear. Democracy must - and will - prevail."
Last month, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said a vote can take place if polling consistently shows 60 per cent of Scots desire a fresh vote.
The majority of people asked agreed with the Tory MP. Just 25 per cent disagreed with his opinion.
Reacting to the poll, pro-Union campaign group Scotland in Union said the SNP's vision for Scotland is negative.
Chief executive Pamela Nash added: “This is yet another poll which shows that a majority of people in Scotland oppose the SNP’s negative vision for our future.
"The very last thing our country needs right now is more division and uncertainty, which is why the SNP should drop its obsession with the constitution and focus on what matters to people – the NHS, jobs and the climate emergency.
“The positive vision for Scotland’s future is as part of the UK, pooling and sharing resources and keeping the pound so that we can invest in our schools and hospitals and build a recovery for everyone."
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