News

New research, from a poll of 9,586 over 50s from across the UK, has shown that people support a United Kingdom and want Scotland to remain a part of it.

Over 50s from across the UK support Teresa May in halting a second Scottish referendum until Brexit negotiations between the UK and the EU have been concluded. Perhaps more surprisingly seven in ten (71%) of Scots agree another Independence Referendum should wait until after Brexit. Across the UK as whole support stands at a staggering 79%, with just 15% agreeing this should take place prior to Brexit.

Despite yesterday’s vote in Holyrood for a second referendum, when asked how they would vote if given another referendum, support for Scottish independence amongst the Scots is down 2% since our last poll in May 2015 (30% to 28%) and support to remain part of the UK is up 2% (64% to 66%).

Support for independence across the UK as a whole is down in every region of the UK (28% to 18%) and support to remain is up (59% to 67%) in every region with the exception of Wales (20% to 21%) when compared to our 2015 poll. London and Northern Ireland were the most against Scottish independence with just 15% and 13% respectively in support.

Saga’s director of communications Paul Green commented:

“It appears that despite yesterday’s vote to hold a second referendum, support amongst the Scottish people shows most want the Union to remain intact. The over 50s agree with our Prime Minister that if one were to go ahead now is not the time, and whilst going through negotiations for Brexit the UK remains stronger if we remain united.”

For more information of a full copy of the data please contact Jessica Myers or Lisa Harris on jessica.myers@saga.co.uk or lisa.harris@saga.co.uk or call 01303 774716.

Source:

2015 poll - Populus interviewed 10,991 Saga respondents, all aged 50+, online between 19 and 25 August 2015.

2017 poll - Populus interviewed 9,586 Saga respondents, all aged 50+, online between 21 and 26 March 2017.

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