Scottish independence vote evenly split in new poll

The Scottish independence vote is evenly split, according to a poll taken the week before the UK left the EU.

Respondents were asked: If there was a referendum tomorrow with the question 'Should Scotland be an independent country?', how would you vote?''

The response was split 50-50 between Yes and No.

While the question was asked just over a week before Brexit Day, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used a speech on Friday to urge independence supporters to have patience''.

After the poll's publication on Monday, SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: This is another fantastic poll for the Yes movement - showing without doubt that the momentum is behind independence.

Scotland has been dragged out of the EU against our will by a Tory Government and Prime Minister that we didn't vote for - and who are undemocratically trying to block the people of Scotland having their say in a referendum.

But that position is unsustainable - ultimately the people of Scotland will have the chance to escape Boris Johnson's Brexit Britain and choose a better future as an independent European nation.''

He added: The case for independence grows stronger by the day.

The longer Boris Johnson tries to ignore the SNP's democratic mandate the more support for independence will continue to grow.''

Undecided voters were removed from the figures - they accounted for around 11% of the poll's respondents.

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: With one in 10 Scots undecided, this poll is a reminder to those of us who believe in solidarity and oppose division that we must continue to make the positive case for remaining in the UK every day.

We know the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland don't want a divisive second independence referendum this year but Nicola Sturgeon is ramping up her campaign in a desperate bid to deflect from the SNP's failings in office.

She should stop trying to divide Scotland and focus on fixing the public services her Government has run into the ground. Scotland deserves better.''

Elsewhere in the survey, the SNP took a majority lead in Holyrood voting intentions among respondents, with 51% in the constituency vote.

The Tories sat at 23%, Labour at 17%, Lib Dems 7% and 1% for another party.

In the regional list, vote intentions sat at 38% for the SNP, 21% for Conservatives, Labour close behind on 19%, Lib Dems and Scottish Greens each on 9% and 3% for another party.