Support for Scottish independence dips but Yes still leads

Support for independence has been pegged back but still has the lead, a new poll suggests.

Research by Survation showed a 52-48 split in favour of leaving the UK, when undecided voters are excluded.

The Yes lead has reduced by two points since last month.

When undecided voters are included – at 16% – then 43% are Yes and 41% are No.

Keith Brown said the SNP would not take anything for granted (PA)

The SNP stressed it is the 16th consecutive poll showing a majority in favour of independence.

The results also suggest Nicola Sturgeon’s party continues to have a commanding lead over rivals.

Keith Brown, the party’s depute leader, said: “The SNP will take nothing for granted and continue to work hard to gain the trust of voters ahead of the Scottish election in 2021.

“However, these polls continue to show that the people of Scotland believe our best interests are served as an independent country.”

The SNP are on 53% of the constituency vote, Survation’s survey suggests.

The Tories and Labour are neck and neck on 20% – with Labour up two points on November and the Conservatives up by one point.

The Liberal Democrats are on 6%, with 1% of respondents saying they will vote for another party.

In the regional section of the ballot, support for the SNP is 41%, down one point from November.

Backing for Labour is up one point to 20%, with support for the Tories increasing by the same amount to 18%.

Meanwhile, 10% said they will vote for the Greens on the regional ballot, 7% back the Lib Dems, 1% are in favour of both the Brexit Party and UKIP and less than 1% support other parties.

Survation published the research after questioning 1,018 people aged 16 and over between December 4 and 9.