Scottish BBC has issued this week the results of a poll showing Scots' clear support of a referendum for self-determination. A 58% out of 1,010 people asked want a plebiscite on the relation Scotland should have with the United Kingdom. However, not the entire 58% would support secession. The poll shows that if people were asked "What would your vote be in a referendum on Scotland's independence?" 38% of the people would be in favour of secession, and 54% against it. But shares vary if the question is changed, as 42% would support independence when asked whether "the Scottish government should negotiate an agreement with the government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland could become an independent State", whilst 50% disagrees on it.

As Scotsman.com reports, the results put Scottish unionist parties under pressure. The Scottish National Party is currently the political force holding most seats in the Scottish Parliament (49 out of 129), and its leader, Alex Salmond, is planning to hold a referendum by 2010. Still, he needs unionist deputies to support the proposal in Parliament, since the SNP does not retain majority. At present, Labour, Conservatives and LibDem oppose the plebiscite. Nevertheless, the poll shows that whatever the outcome may be, a majority of Scots would like to be consulted.

More information:

• BBC: Scots 'want an independence vote'