A survey completed by Panelbase for the Sunday Times and Real
Radio Scotland found some interesting answers from its participants.
Cheeringly, of those who were decided about independence,
47% were for, and 53% against. Of the entire sample 21% had not made up their
minds, 37% were for and 42% against.
If the referendum were to ask voters to choose between
independence, Devo-Max within the UK, or the status quo, the poll interestingly pointed to a
small majority in favour of independence.
The survey also offered an insight into how people see life in an an
independent Scotland. It found that more than 50% of thought that independence
would be good for the nation's health, education, culture and environment, but showed
concern about the impact of independence on personal financial situations:
64% thought independence would have a positive effect on
Scottish culture. 9% thought a negative effect;
59% said it would be good for Scottish confidence with 19%
saying it would be bad;
42% considered independence would be good for the nation's
health, and only 17% saying bad;
47% were positive
about its effects on education, compared with 19% who were negative.
50% said it would be positive for the environment, and 15%
think bad;
27% said it would cut crime, and 17% think it could increase
it;
43% predicted their personal tax would rise under
independence, while around 11% believed it would reduce;
50% thought that the retirement pension would go up, and 50%
that it would not;
75% said Scotland
would be worse off financially if it adopted the Euro.
The poll, conducted between January 27 and February 1, studied
the views of 1000 Scottish adults.
