Almost as many English voters back independence as disagree with it

The St George flag is seen flying above 10 Downing St on April 23, 2008 in London. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) - Credit: Getty Images

A new poll has revealed that there is an increasing amount of support for English independence to break away from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In further signs of strains for the United Kingdom, almost as many English people are in support for the country becoming independent as disagree with the idea.

In a new poll for Business for Scotland the public were polled on whether or not they disagreed with this statement: ‘England should be an independent country and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should be allowed to stand on their own two feet.’


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The survey, conducted by Panelbase, found 36% disagreed with the statement, but 34% supported the idea, with 30% unsure.

Removing ‘don’t knows’ from the equation, 49% would back it, with 51% against.

The poll also revealed that 52.5% of Tory voters in England supported independence, with 51.5% of Labour voters in England backing the proposal.

Business for Scotland CEO Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp said the support was likely to grow if such a campaign became mainstream.

He said: ‘Let’s be clear, without any serious campaign for English independence and with no political party advocating for such a move, English voters are essentially split right down the middle on whether England should be an independent country. Were such a campaign to be launched we can only assume that support would grow.’

MacIntyre-Kemp said it also showed difference in attitudes between supporters of the Tories and Labour in England and Scotland.

He explained: ‘I think it might come as quite a shock to Scottish Conservatives that their party members across the Border are just not that bothered about keeping the Union together.

‘But the evidence is clear, in England the majority of voters for the two main political parties support English independence and therefore the dissolution of the Union.’