Nicola Sturgeon dealt blow as support for Scottish independence plummets

In Scotland, there are two key issues dominating the landscape ahead of the general election- Brexit and independence.

The two issues have become intertwined in recent months with debate over how an independent Scotland may be able to remain part of the European Union.

Last month, the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for a second independence referendum with the Holyrood parliament backing the announcement in a vote.

Theresa May responded saying:"now is not the time".

Sturgeon has been biding her time to call for a second referendum – now a new poll has cast a shadow over any chances of success for the SNP.

The survey by Kantar found that backing among Scottish voters for the break-up of the UK has slumped from 47% to 40% since August last year.

It also showed that nearly half of those people do not want a second independence referendum to ever take place.

And barely a quarter of Scots back Nicola Sturgeon's call for another breakaway vote to be held in either spring 2018 or autumn 2019.

This latest poll will come as a blow for Sturgeon, with other surveys indicating she may lose some of her MPs in the 8 June general election.

Tom Costley, head of Kantar in Scotland, said: "It is interesting to speculate on why there appears to be this weakening in the 'Yes' vote, despite Scotland voting clearly in favour of remaining within the EU, which is the stated position of the SNP-led Scottish government.

Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said: "There is no appetite in Scotland for independence and, as this poll shows, there's certainly no appetite for another vote on it.

"These results should send a very clear message to Nicola Sturgeon – take the threat of another referendum off the table, and focus on the job you were elected to do."