NO voters say they are less likely to change their mind

A new telephone poll of Scottish voters by Ipsos-MORI for the Times puts support for independence at 39% – which is just one point up on the firm’s last poll in December.

The question that was put was the one proposed last week by Alex Salmond – “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?” and which has caused some controversy.

In the December poll MORI asked those sampled if they “agree or disagree with a proposal to extend the powers of the Scottish Parliament to enable Scotland to become an independent country, which is no longer part of the UK”.

In the last poll MORI found 57% supporting the union while this latest survey has it at 50%. So it maybe that the new proposed wording does have an impact there.

Where Alex Salmond appears to have a challenge is in winning over pro-union voters. According to the poll they say they are less likely to change their mind.

A total of 82 per cent of of those opposed to independence said they were definite in their view compared to 69% for the other side.

The firm has a good recent record in Scotland. Last May its final Holyrood survey proved to be the most accurate of all the pollsters covering that election.

Mike Smithson @MikeSmithsonOGH