New poll in Scotland gives ‘No’ vote slender lead with just six days to go

Scottish unionists are four points ahead of supporters of independence, a new YouGov poll showed, just one week before Scots vote in a referendum on whether to split from the United Kingdom. The YouGov survey of 1,300 people for The Times and Sun put supporters of the union on 52 per cent, narrowly ahead of supporters of independence on 48 per cent, excluding those who said they did not know how they would vote.

If we were no longer to operate in one state with one market and - broadly - one set of rules, our business model would inevitably become more complex. We would have to reflect our cost to operate here.

Asda CEO, Andy Clarke

The poll was conducted during a period when the leaders of the three main parties all visited Scotland and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped up his involvement in the drive to keep the union. Yesterday was considered a good day for the No campaign as several independent heavyweights expressed their concerns if Scotland was to vote to become a separate country. British retailers Asda and John Lewis said the increased costs of operating in an independent Scotland would inevitably be passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices. Edinburgh-based banks Lloyd’s and RBS, also confirmed they would be moving to London if Scotland voted for independence. SNP leaders will visit Scotland’s seven cities today while their Labour counterparts rally support in Glasgow, as both sides of the independence campaign continue to push for votes.

Scotland is on the cusp of making history. The eyes of the world are on Scotland.

First Minister of Scotland, Alec Salmond

Politics No poll lead