New polling carried out by YouGov on behalf of YesCymru - the campaign for an independent Wales - has shown that the majority in Wales believe the power to call a referendum on Welsh independence should lie with the Senedd (Welsh Parliament).
With those who didn’t know removed, 55% of respondents backed the Senedd having such powers with 45% against.
And for the first time, the majority of Labour voters said that they would vote in favour of independence if a referendum was held tomorrow.
With the figures adjusted to remove those who refused to answer, didn't know or said that they wouldn't vote, 51% of respondents who voted for Labour in 2019 said they would vote for Welsh independence with 49% against.
The overall number in favour of independence remains at 32% in favour and 68% against.
There was also strong support for independence among younger voters, with 43% of those in the 18-24 year old category backing independence, and 42% of those in the 25-49 year old category saying that they would vote yes.
Siôn Jobbins, chair of YesCymru - the campaign for an independent Wales - said:
“These are incredible figures. It’s clear that Labour supporters are now backing independence as the best hope for making Wales a better place in which to live, and for defending Wales against Westminster policies.
“They have been let down time and again by the Westminster system - rich communities have got richer, whilst poorer communities have become poorer and hollowed out.
“People only need to look around them to see the stark failings of being ruled from Westminster despite Wales being a country rich in resources.
“They live in communities ravaged by failed austerity policies that have put the City of London ahead of the people of Wales.
“It’s only with decisions about Wales being made here in Wales that we can put the happiness and well-being of ordinary people at the forefront of government policy.
“People in Wales also see that 55% of people in Scotland support independence and that the SNP will hold a referendum on independence. Wales can’t afford to put its head in the sand. The Senedd needs to have plans in place to give Wales the option of voting on independence.”
And Mr Jobbins had a warning to London politicians who want to hold back devolution:
“We have seen in this poll and other recent polling what institutions people trust. Any attempt to roll back devolution, any attempt to undermine our Senedd and any attempt to tell the people of Wales ‘no you can’t’ is doomed to failure.
“The people of Wales support devolution and they want to see their rights upheld by our own government and parliament.”
- YouGov opinion poll – YesCymru: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1035 Adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24th - 27th August 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in Wales (aged 18+). All figures discount those who responded with ‘Don’t Know’, ‘Refused’ or ‘Would not Vote’.
Do you think the Welsh Government should or should not have the right to call a referendum on Welsh independence if the majority of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) approves?
Should – 55%
Should not – 45%
If there was a referendum held tomorrow on Wales becoming an independent country and this was the question, how would you vote? Should Wales be an independent country?
OVERALL
Yes – 32%
No – 68%
2019 LABOUR VOTERS
Yes – 51%
No – 49%
18-24 AGE CATEGORY
Yes – 43%
No – 57%
25-49 AGE CATEGORY
Yes – 42%
No – 58%
Results in full (pdf)
