Only one in three Scots want independence from UK, finds poll

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London, Oct. 18: Just one in three Scots want independence from the UK, a first poll published since the historic agreement on the terms of a referendum was announced earlier this week.

The figures showed that backing for breaking away from Britain has fallen to 30 percent, a 5 percent fall since June and 9 percent down from January.

The poll by the Ipsos MORI Poll for The Times found that support for the union has risen to 58 percent, which is up by 3 percent from June and 8 percent since January.

The figures come as a blow to First Minister Alex Salmond as his Scottish National Party gathered for its annual conference in Perth.

According to the Telegraph, the results of the poll found that 50 percent Scots were satisfied with the way Salmond is doing his job as First Minister and 40 percent were dissatisfied.

It comes as David Cameron pledged a positive campaign to save the Union and said he hoped parties from all parts of the country, including Northern Ireland, would join in, the report said.

Alistair Darling, the former Chancellor and chair of the Better Together campaign, welcomed the poll results, the report added.

“These poll results are, of course, welcome. However, they should not be seen as a sign that we can take the foot off the gas in any way. There is absolutely no room for complacency,” he said.

“The poll that matters will be the one that makes place in autumn 2014. Our campaign will be doing everything we possibly can to prevent Alex Salmond and his separatists from breaking up Britain,” he added.(ANI)