The survey also found that the Tories could lose half of their remaining seats in Scotland – leaving them with just three MPs north of the border. The poll also estimated the SNP were expected to take 50 seats, based on 44% of respondents saying they would support them in a general election. Meanwhile, the figures revealed that Labor would win two seats in Scotland, one more than they currently have, based on 23% of respondents saying they would vote for them. READ MORE: Ruth Davidson and Arlene Foster on UK tour plan to rally Union support The Liberal Democrats were unchanged with four seats based on 8%. The Sunday Times Panelbase survey looked at 1133 adults in Scotland. It showed that 49% of respondents supported independence and 51% were opposed among those who had already made up their minds. But it also showed support for remaining in the UK fell to 48% if Truss became prime minister and 49% if Rishi Sunak succeeded Boris Johnson. The poll also showed that 52% would vote yes if Johnson remained in his current position. Reacting to the news, Westminster SNP deputy leader Kirsten Oswald MP said: “People in Scotland are fed up with the disastrous Tory politicians who didn’t vote and the sleazy governments they oversee, this poll is further evidence of this growing desire to escape Tory rule. “And it’s no wonder support for the Tories and the Union is so low and falling when you think about who will replace Boris Johnson in the horror show that is the Conservative leadership election.” Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are still trying to win over Conservative Party members as they look to succeed Boris Johnson. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss attended a hustings in Perth last week Oswald continued: “On the one hand we have a law-breaking ex-chancellor who consistently refused to implement meaningful support for the most vulnerable, exacerbating the Tories’ already spiraling cost of living crisis, while standing by the disgraced Boris Johnson during the whole trip. in the bitter end. “And on the other hand, we have a tribute to Thatcher to avoid responsibility for the mess the UK is in and to ignore the democratically elected First Minister of Scotland and the mandate of the Scottish people for an independence referendum.” Both Tory candidates have ruled out granting a referendum with Liz Truss recently branding Nicola Sturgeon an “attention seeker”. Oswald added: “As both candidates fight over their prolonged distraction from a leadership election, vulnerable households are doing what they can to prepare for a brutal winter defined by rising energy bills and tough choices between whether they will heat or eat. “So far neither Sunak nor Truss have offered the prospectus to prevent this grim reality from coming to fruition and plunging millions into poverty and destitution. “It makes sense to see an increase in support for the SNP and independence as a means of escaping the sinking ship that is the United Kingdom, and the Scots will have the opportunity in a referendum next year to seize that opportunity and end undemocratic Tory rule over Scotland once and for all.” Writing in the paper, leading British pundit Sir John Curtice said: “Simply arguing that another referendum should not be held at all seems unlikely to win many converts. “While 44% are against a referendum in the next five years, 48% are in favor. READ MORE: Inverness All Under One Banner independence march hears call for unity “Ultimately the Union will only be secure if people in Scotland believe in it. But it is not clear that the next prime minister will have the right strategy to achieve this.” The pair held a leadership showdown in Perth last week and both said if elected the Scottish Government would face greater scrutiny. Truss’ team suggests he will take a much tougher line than the Johnson government. Michael Gove and Lord McInnes of Kilwinning, No 10’s Union adviser, convinced Johnson that the best way to preserve the union was to try to demonstrate the benefits of staying in the UK. This involved transferring money directly from Whitehall to Scottish councils and charities. However, reports suggest Truss will try to rebrand Scottish independence as “secessionist” to try to paint the movement in a negative light. In response to the plans, SNP MP Philippa Whitford said it showed how the Tories “have no respect for the way Scottish voters vote”. Meanwhile, Sunak told the pair’s debate last week that it was “frankly unpleasant” for the SNP to seek an independence referendum. He said he would not ignore the First Minister, but wanted to “get her and hit her”. The poll also showed that English voters believe Scotland is more likely to vote for independence, with more believing it is more likely under Truss (28%) than under Sunnock (26%) or Sir Keir Starmer ( 22%).
