Nicola Sturgeon's leadership record 'failing' says Farage

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According to a poll released on September 18, a majority of Scots would not back an independence referendum until the UK Government approves the request. Although Ms Sturgeon hopes to hold a vote by 2023, the majority also agreed with Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland’s claim that a referendum can only be held if 60 support it. Of the 1,000 people asked by Redfield and Wilton Strategies, 43 percent agreed a referendum vote should only be held if the Government approves it.

In contrast, 38 percent disagreed with the UK Government deciding when a second vote can be held.

In the poll commissioned by Politico, 53 percent believed it should be up to Westminster to decide – when those who hold no opinion are removed.

A further 47 percent to 44 supported remaining as part of the UK in a blow to Ms Sturgeon’s hopes.

Commenting on the data, Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, told Express.co.uk: “This is yet another poll which shows that a majority of people in Scotland oppose the SNP’s negative vision for our future.

“The very last thing our country needs right now is more division and uncertainty, which is why the SNP should drop its obsession with the constitution and focus on what matters to people – the NHS, jobs and the climate emergency.

“The positive vision for Scotland’s future is as part of the UK, pooling and sharing resources and keeping the pound so that we can invest in our schools and hospitals and build a recovery for everyone.”

In August, Mr Jack said a referendum could be held if 60 support holding a second vote and if it is sustained over a long period of time.

In relation to Mr Jack’s claim, just 25 percent disagree with his statement.

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Mr Jack said: “If you consistently saw 60 percent of the population wanting a referendum — not wanting independence but wanting a referendum to take place — and that was sustained over a reasonably long period, then I would acknowledge that there was a desire for a referendum.

“Anyone can see that.”

“But that’s not where we are and it’s not how I perceive things to be.

“I think I’m broadly where the public are, which is that now is not the time to be having a referendum.

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“We’ve had one, we’ve made our decision, let’s get on and rebuild the economy and rebuild people’s lives.”

Last month Ms Sturgeon signed a power-sharing deal with the Green Party in order to achieve a pro-independence majority in Holyrood.

The agreement also saw Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater appointed as junior ministers in the Scottish government.

Now the alliance has 72 seats in Holyrood, giving Ms Sturgeon an outright majority in Parliament.

Ms Sturgeon had hoped to gain a majority during May’s election but missed out by one seat with 64 seats.

Last week, Ms Sturgeon issued a rallying cry to her supporters during the SNP conference, she said: “By making us poorer, they’ll say we can’t afford to be independent.

“By cutting our trade with the EU, they’ll say we are too dependent on the rest of the UK.

“By causing our working population to fall, they’ll say the country is ageing too fast.

“They want us to believe we are powerless in the face of the disastrous decisions they have taken for us and the damage those decisions is doing.”

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