Scotland does not back independence from UK despite Brexit vote reveals poll

Scots are not keen for another independence referendum before Brexit and would back staying in the United Kingdom, a poll has revealed.

In a blow to the Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon as she starts a new push for separation, the YouGov poll shows that despite a Brexit vote that was mostly rejected in Scotland, 54% of people still back the union, with 46% supporting independence.

In the referendum in October 2014, Scotland voted to stay in the UK by 55% to 45%.

Sturgeon will use a speech on Friday (2 September) to outline the differences between hers and Theresa May's governments and will say in Stirling: "The UK that existed before June 23 has fundamentally changed.

"The debate now is whether we should go forward, protecting our place as a European nation or go backwards, under a Tory government. The debate must include an examination of independence in what are profoundly changed circumstances."

However the poll, which was carried out for The Times, delivered some more bad news for Sturgeon, showing that Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson now has a higher net personal approval rating than the SNP leader.

It also showed that 49 per cent of all voters think that Scotland benefits economically from being part of the UK, while only 23 per cent think it is harmed.