Nicola Sturgeon to launch fresh independence campaign as poll shows no post-brexit bounce in support

Nicola Sturgeon - credit David Anderson/Holyrood

Nicola Sturgeon will kick off what she will call a "listening exercise" to build support for a second referendum on independence today.

In a speech in Stirling the First Minister will say the SNP must build support for independence in "profoundly changed circumstances" across the UK, including the Brexit vote and the "implosion" of the Labour party. 

"The debate now is whether we should go forward, protecting our place as a European nation or go backwards, under a Tory government with very different priorities," she is expected to tell supporters.

However, a poll in The Times this morning showing little increase in an appetite for independence among Scots since the last referendum on the subject in 2014.

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The survey shows a narrow majority in favour of staying in the UK, with support for independence put at 46 per cent, only one point up from 2014.

Crucially, on the key issue of the economy, 49 per cent of respondents said they thought being in the UK was beneficial to Scotland, whereas only 23 per cent said they thought it was harmful. This comes shortly after the Scottish Government's own figures revealed the country has a £15bn deficit in public spending.

The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Labour and Liberal Democrats remain opposed to holding a second referendum, and have pledged to oppose any attempts to have one during this parliament.

“I know her activists believe this is a golden opportunity to win independence but she has a responsibility to lead the country, not just her party,” said Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie.

Elsewhere in the YouGov poll, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has a higher approval rating than Nicola Sturgeon for the first time ever.

Davidson is on +21, while the First Minister is on +20, with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale well behind on -17.