Boris Johnson: Majority of Scots back independence in shock poll days after PM’s Scotland trip

Protesters booed and jeered the new PM last week when he met Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh

The majority of Scots would vote for independence in another referendum, according to a shock new poll conducted in the wake of Boris Johnson’s visit to Edinburgh.

In a significant blow to the prime minister’s attempts to shore up the union, a survey by pollster Lord Ashcroft put backing for Scottish independence at 46 per cent, with 43 per cent against.

Support for independence rose to 52 per cent, with 48 per cent against, when those who said they did not know how they would vote or said they would not vote were removed.

Mr Johnson has sought to put protecting the union at the heart of his premiership, appointing himself as minister for the union and using his first few days in office to visit the devolved nations.

But his trip to Edinburgh was marred by crowds of protesters who booed and jeered as he arrived at Bute House for talks with Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

The online poll questioned 1,019 adults in Scotland between 30 July and 2 August, just days after Mr Johnson’s visit to the Scottish capital.

The survey also found 47 per cent of people felt there should be a second Scottish independence referendum in the next two years, with 45 per cent against the proposal.

This is the first lead for independence since an Ipsos MORI survey in March 2017, and the biggest lead since a spate of polls in June 2016, shortly after the UK voted to leave the EU, according to Lord Ashcroft.

Scots voted against independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent in the 2014 referendum.

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But Ms Sturgeon seized on the poll as an example of the case for independence growing stronger as Scotland is “dragged towards a no-deal Brexit”.

The first minister said: “This is a phenomenal poll for the independence movement – showing that more and more people think it’s time that Scotland took our own decisions and shaped our own future as a fair, prosperous, outward-looking nation.”

The poll presents a fresh headache for Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, as Mr Johnson’s support for a no-deal Brexit is regarded as toxic to voters north of the border.

Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit in the EU referendum, and Scottish Conservatives fear they will be left vulnerable to the SNP by Mr Johnson’s bullish attitude to a no-deal exit.

Ms Davidson has made clear her opposition to the prime minister’s “do or die” promise to leave the EU on 31 October with or without a deal.