Only 36 per cent of Scots want fresh independence vote

Nicola Sturgeon’s bid to break up the UK suffered a fresh blow today as a poll showed barely a third of Scots want another independence referendum.

Research by YouGov found just 36 per cent were in favour of another vote on the issue in the next five years – while 54 per cent were opposed.

A majority also indicated they would support staying in the UK if a referendum was held.

The YouGov research suggested barely a third of Scots wanted another independence referendum to be held over the next five years

The survey, conducted for The Times Scotland, comes after the SNP leader pledged to decide by the end of the year whether to press ahead with her plans for a vote.

The poll showed backing for the SNP falling, though it remains the most popular in Scotland.

Some 36 per cent said they would back the party in a general election, down four points from October.

Support for independence was down from 44 per cent to 43 per cent, compared to the 45 per cent registered in the 2014 referendum.

Backing for a second independence vote in the next five years had fallen from 39 per cent to 36 per cent.

Meanwhile the proportion opposed had increased from 52 per cent to 54 per cent.

The research also suggested that the ‘Corbyn bounce’ north of the border has come to an end.

The Labour leader’s personal approval rating has slumped to -3 from the +20 he scored three months ago.

It found Labour would come second to the SNP in Scotland in a general election, with 28 per cent support Labour – but that was down from 30 per cent in October. 

The ‘Corbyn bounce’ in Scotland seems to have ended with Labour’s support fading back over recent months

Jeremy Corbyn’s personal ratings have nosedived in Scotland since October, the poll found 

The survey, conducted for The Times Scotland, comes after the SNP leader pledged to decide by the end of the year whether to press ahead with her plans for a vote. Ms Sturgeon is pictured visiting a food bank in Stirling today