Moore: Referendum delay "testing Scotland's patience to breaking point"
A new poll shows around two-thirds of people want to see an early referendum on independence
The Scottish Government’s lack of answers on the detail of an independent Scotland and the uncertainty created by its referendum timescale are “an extreme test of Scotland’s patience”, the Secretary of State for Scotland said today (Tue 13 December).
Michael Moore raised the issue as a poll for the _Times _newspaper showed over two-thirds of people in Scotland want to see the referendum held earlier than the Scottish Government’s planned timing.
The Ipsos MORI poll shows 64 per cent in favour of putting the question to Scotland earlier and less than a third (29 per cent) prefer the Scottish Government’s timing. The same poll shows that support for independence across Scotland remains largely static at around a third.
The Secretary of State said:
“This poll shows the vast majority of people in Scotland want to end the uncertainty with an earlier vote on independence.
“Are we really expected to endure three or four more years of distraction and delay when every other country in Europe is focusing on the economy and jobs?
“Instead of stalling, the Scottish Government should respond to this clear demand, bring forward their proposals and name the day.”