Scotland’s independent think tank
Scotland’s independent think tank

New poll shows Devo Plus is Scotland’s choice

  • Reform Scotland calls for all political parties to reflect the people’s clear wish
  • First ever polling on Devo Plus

A new poll (see notes to editors), carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Reform Scotland, has shown that Devo Plus is the most popular way forward for Scotland’s constitutional future, easily outpolling both the status quo and independence.

The poll also showed that two-thirds would like to see the Unionist parties campaign for more powers for the Scottish Parliament as an alternative to independence.  Further, it showed that twice as many people believe most of the money spent by the Scottish Parliament should be raised by the Scottish Government rather than the Westminster Government – the core message of the Devolution Plus proposal.

Commenting, Ben Thomson, Chairman of Reform Scotland which formulated the Devolution Plus proposal, said:
“This poll is further proof of what we have suspected for some time – the current debate on Scotland’s constitutional future is not adequately serving the people of Scotland because it is largely ignoring their preferred way forward. In a poll on the preferred route forward, neither the status quo nor independence can muster even 30% support, while Devo Plus polls over 40%.

“Most Scots have identified the key problem with the current devolution settlement – that the Scottish Parliament is not properly accountable for raising the money which it spends. With twice the number of people believing that the Scottish Government should raise most of this money rather than the Westminster Government, we would urge all political parties to consider whether they are adequately representing popular demand.

“It’s time for the parties to lay their cards on the table. It’s time people know exactly what they’re voting for, and if nobody is offering Devo Plus – the most popular option – the question must be: why not?”

Jeremy Purvis, Leader of the Devo Plus Group, added:
“This is the first substantive test of opinion in Scotland on the Devo Plus proposals and shows very clearly the desire of the Scottish people to improve on the status quo, but rejecting independence.  The very clear support for Devo Plus as the best way forward for Scotland should be listened to. The evidence is also clear that the vast majority of people would like the parties that do not support independence to work together to progress the case for Devo Plus. Devo Plus is not a tactic to defeat independence, rather it is a carefully considered way forward for a stronger Scotland within the UK  – this Ipsos Mori poll now shows it is the way forward most preferred by the people of Scotland also.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1) Ipsos MORI polled 1003 people between 7 and 14 June 2012. Full results/tables will be available on Ipsos MORI’s website.

Thinking about Scotland’s constitutional future, which of the following statements most closely matches your views on this issue?
Scotland should remain part of the UK with the same devolved powers it has at present
29 %
Scotland should remain part of the UK with the increased powers outlined in the Devo Plus proposal
41 %
Scotland should become a fully independent country, separate from the rest of the UK27 %
Some other view4 %

 

As you may know, most of the money spent by the Scottish Parliament currently comes from the Westminster Government. Who do you think should be responsible for raising most of the money the Scottish Parliament spends?
The Scottish Government
61 %
The Westminster Government
29 %
Don’t know10 %

 

To what extent do you agree or disagree that those who want to stay in the UK should campaign for more powers for the Scottish Parliament within the UK as an alternative to independence?
Strongly agree
29 %
Tend to agree
37 %
Neither agree nor disagree
13 %
Tend to disagree
9 %
Strongly disagree8 %
Don’t know4 %
Agree (Net)66 %
Disagree (Net)17 %

2) Reform Scotland is an independent, non-party think tank that aims to set out a better way to deliver increased economic prosperity and more effective public services based on the traditional Scottish principles of limited government, diversity and personal responsibility.

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