Almost half of Scots would support independence despite the Supreme Court ruling against Holyrood holding a second referendum without Westminster’s consent, a new poll has suggested.

The Redfield & Wilton Strategies’ survey revealed 49 per cent of the 1000 Scots polled would vote in favour of independence given the chance, compared to 45% who would vote against it and 5% who were undecided.

The poll was conducted between November 26 and November 27, after the UK’s highest court ruled against the Scottish Government, saying that a proposed Holyrood Referendum Bill would “relate to” the Union and sovereignty of the UK Parliament.

READ MORE: Supreme Court rules against Indyref2, what happens next?

 

Respondents remained relatively divided over when a second referendum should take place.

Asked whether they would support or oppose a referendum taking place in the next year, 46%  of respondents said they would ‘strongly support’ or ‘support’ a vote next year.

Meanwhile, 43% said they would either ‘strongly oppose’ or ‘oppose’ a referendum in the next year and 9% remained impartial, saying they would neither support nor oppose it.

Comparing only the most extreme responses, 33% would ‘strongly support’ a vote on independence next year, while 34% would ‘strongly oppose’ it.

READ MORE: Supreme Court shatters Sturgeon’s plan for Indyref2 next year

Given a broader timeframe of five years, support for another referendum remains at 46% while those opposing it fell to 40%.

Around one in ten (11%) people said they would neither support nor oppose a referendum being held within this timeframe.

Most of the polled Scots said the passing of Queen Elizabeth has not impacted how they would vote in an independence referendum.

A total of 64% said the death and funeral of the 96-year-old monarch made ‘no difference’ to their view on Scottish independence.

Asked about Nicola Sturgeon’s overall job performance, 49% approved of how the First Minister has fared since becoming the leader of the SNP, while 33% disapproved of her performance.

However, those surveyed had a less positive view of the Prime Minister who only took on the role in October.

The poll showed that  35% of Scots’ disapproved of Rishi Sunak’s overall job performance, while 31% approved.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is viewed more negatively - 39% disapprove of Mr Hunt’s performance, compared to 24% who approve.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has improved his standing in the eyes of Scots with an increase of 16% pushing the number of voters who approved of his performance up to 35% since last year.

A total of 24% disapproved of how he has faired, but a considerable portion of voters (35%) neither approved nor disapproved.