Demand for democracy fuelling support for independence
A new poll showing support for independence has risen to 56% shows a growing “demand for democracy” among the people of Scotland, say the Scottish Greens.
The Ipsos’ Scottish Political Monitor in partnership with STV News today shows a 12% lead opening up for independence. There has also been a fall in support for those arguing there should never be a referendum, down by five points to just 26%.
The poll is one of the first significant tests of public opinion since the Supreme Court ruled against the Scottish Government being able to stage a referendum on independence without first securing a Section 30 order from the UK Government.
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said the new research demonstrated how the UK Government’s policy of blocking Scottish democracy was in fact strengthening support for the independent movement.
Mr Greer said:
“There is no better advert for independence than the sight of the Tories and their unionist allies in the Labour Party colluding to block the Scottish people from having a chance to decide our own future. They cannot keep running away from democracy, and their obstruction and denial will only ensure that support for independence grows even stronger.
“The people of Scotland elected the biggest ever majority of pro-independence MSPs just last year. That is a mandate for change. We know that our society and economy could thrive if we had the powers of a normal European country, rather than continuing to be held back by the broken and corrupt Westminster system.
“This surge we are seeing in support for independence sends a loud and clear message all the way to Downing Street. Scotland will have its day at the ballot box.
“People here are demanding real democracy. They quite rightly believe that Scotland should get what it votes for, and at last year’s election it was manifestos proposing independence which won the day. They are sick and tired of being dictated to by a cruel, incompetent and anti-democratic Westminster government that they did not vote for and can’t remove.”