One person 
in six may 
move away if Scotland says ‘Yes’

About one in six people would consider moving away from Scotland in the event of a Yes vote in the referendum, according to a new poll.

A Panelbase survey found that 17 per cent of adults – or about 700,000 people – would think about leaving after independence.

In contrast, five per cent –about 200,000 voters – said they would consider emigrating after a No vote, with 73 per cent saying they plan to stay regardless of the outcome.

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The poll of 1,041 people puts support for independence at 41 per cent, up one per cent since the last Panelbase poll in May.

The No vote was also up one per cent to 48 per cent while 11 per cent are yet to make up their minds.

When undecided voters are excluded, the Yes vote stands at 46 per cent and No support is at 54 per cent.

The poll found that 34 per cent of people think Scotland will be better-off under independence while 42 per cent believe the country will be worse-off.

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The results have been welcomed by both sides in the referendum campaign.

Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said: ““What this poll confirms is that, in spite of a renewed barrage of scaremongering and relentless negativity from the No camp and Westminster government, we are in touching distance of success on September 18. We need just over a four-point swing to put us in front.

Better Together campaign director Blair McDougall said: “This poll is a blow to Alex Salmond’s faltering campaign and makes clear that the momentum is with those of us saying no thanks to separation.”

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