SCOTTISH voters will not accept there is an “‘off limits’ when it comes to democracy”, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been told.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown issued the message to the Prime Minister after a new Scottish independence poll, conducted exclusively for The National, found that Scotland would vote to leave the Union if a second referendum were held tomorrow.
The survey of 1020 Scots, run from August 4-10 by Find Out Now, found 48% of Scots said they would vote Yes, while 45% would vote No. With the 7% of “don’t knows” removed, the poll suggested a second independence referendum would see Scotland vote for independence by 52% to 48%.
It is the first Scottish independence poll since Burnham became Prime Minister in July. In a meeting with First Minister John Swinney that month, the new Labour leader said that discussions around a second referendum were “off limits”.
Brown said: “Andy Burnham told the Scottish people independence was ‘off limits’, but this poll is their resounding answer.
“Once again we see independence is the preferred choice of the Scottish people – Westminster does not work for Scotland and the largest number of pro-independence MSPs in our parliament reflects that sentiment is felt deeply across Scotland.
“There is no ‘off limits’ when it comes to democracy and with pro-independence First Ministers in every corner of these islands, those words wear very thin.”
The SNP depute leader added: “Our land is rich in resources – be that in our sea bed, in our wind or in our waters – and we have the people to equip ourselves as one of the most successful countries in the world.
“Through a fresh start with independence we will secure that future and build a wealthier, European, Scotland anew.”
Further results from the poll will be published through the week, with questions focused on the possibility of a unilateral declaration of independence, the rise of the far right, and perceptions of Burnham’s first few weeks in office.
