Scotland will become an independent country one year from now if voters can be convinced over the next 12 months that a yes vote will make them better off, a new poll in The Scotsman revealed.
 

The new Scotsman poll finds that 47 percent of voters say they will support independence next September if they can be assured that it would make them $800 a year better off. Under those economic circumstances, only 37 percent said they would oppose independence, while a further 16 percent said they don’t know.

The poll findings have strengthened the resolve of the Scottish National Party (SNP). It now believes a focused push on the economy will persuade hesitant Scottish voters to leave the United Kingdom.

However, the survey also reveals the enormity of that task, with less than a third of voters currently saying they believe independence will be good for the economy. Instead, 48 percent say they think it will be bad for growth.
 
If this skepticism continues in Scotland, the pro-independence campaign and the SNP will be set for a devastating defeat, snuffing out any hope that the SNP will be able to bring the issue back to the people again.

The survey is the second half of ICM’s poll for the Scotsman and predicts that independence is likely to be rejected at present by a margin of 60 to 40.

The poll has found strong support for a middle-ground option, which sees Scotland becoming primarily responsible for welfare and tax, but says within the United Kingdom. A total of 59 percent of people want Scotland to become responsible for the welfare and tax decisions.

Ultimately, the poll reveals the over-arching importance of the economy in the upcoming decision. SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the poll results last night.

“This is a welcome finding, underlining that people in Scotland know we’ve got what it takes to be an independent country,” she said.

The Better Together campaign and the Unionist parties countered by arguing that the SNP had failed to boost support for a yes vote despite more than two years in power.