Almost half of Scots would back an independent Scotland in the European Union (EU) if a second referendum was held in early 2019, a new poll suggests.

The Panelbase research for pro-independence blog Wings over Scotland found that 49 per cent would vote for an independent Scotland in the EU if a second referendum on the issue was held in March 2019, around the time the UK is scheduled to leave the bloc. Pro-Independence supporters hold a march through Glasgow.

Excluding those who gave no opinion, 51 per cent said they would opt for Scotland to stay in the union and leave the EU. The poll of 1,022 adults found support for the independence option was highest in the 16-34 age category at 66 per cent, compared to 34 per cent who would favour staying the in UK and leaving the EU. The pattern was almost reversed for those aged 55+, at 36 per cent and 64 per cent respectively. 

Exactly the same proportion (19 per cent) of Yes and No voters in 2014’s Scottish independence referendum said they would switch sides. Of those who voted Remain in last year’s EU referendum, 68 per cent said they would support independence while 32 per cent would back the union, while a large majority (79 per cent) of those who voted Leave backed staying int he UK with just 21 per cent a supporting independence. Almost half (46 per cent a) of respondents who voted Labour at the 2017 UK election would back an independent Scotland in the EU while 14 per cent of SNP voters said they would prefer to stay in the UK and leave the EU.

An SNP spokesman said: “This poll shows support for independence on the cusp of an outright majority, in line with other recent opinion polls. “And support for independence is only likely to grow further in the coming months as people react to the Theresa May’s chaotic extreme Brexit plans. “This is an arrogant Tory government that thinks it can do what it wants to Scotland and get away with it.

But people across Scotland see the folly of being dragged out of the world’s biggest single market - which is around eight times bigger than the UK’s alone - against our democratic will.”