SCOTLAND in Union chief executive Pamela Nash has claimed polls showing majority support for independence are part of a temporary swing caused by a time of crisis.
A new Ipsos MORI poll of more than 1000 voters in Scotland found that 58% would now vote Yes – the highest figure ever recorded.
While there have been temporary spikes in support for independence caused over the years, the increase recorded in 2020 has been sustained since the General Election.
Polls were already indicating Yes was now the majority position before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in the UK.
READ MORE: New poll shows independence ‘the settled will’ of most Scots
Asked about the latest polling on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, former Labour MP Nash said: “Well what I would say is that it’s not unusual at times of national difficulties and financial hardship for opinion polls to temporarily swing in favour of a big change.
“And we’ve seen that not just in Scotland, we’ve seen that with Brexit we’ve seen that with Trump across the water and even with Boris and I don’t think this is any different.”
However, she said she wouldn’t say the poll results are not “concerning” for her Unionist organisation.
The Ipsos MORI poll, carried out between October 2-9, found voters felt the most convincing argument for independence was the fact Scotland seems to be moving in a different political direction to England.
Nash was asked what other factors could be pushing Scots to Yes, as it can’t be purely the pandemic. She told listeners: “I think it’s largely to do with that, but I think it’s the job of us pro-UK campaigners and political parties to ensure that people make a fully informed decision about their view on these issues.”
The SNP’s head of broadcast media said her claims showed she is “in denial” given the sustained increase in independence support.
Meanwhile independence supporters criticised Nash’s performance during the segment with former Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins.
One commented: “Just take one look at Westminster and honestly convince me that we are not better governing ourselves.”
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