New poll: Second independence referendum is not priority for Scots

A second referendum on leaving the UK is nowhere near a priority for the people of Scotland, a major new poll has revealed as the SNP gathers for its annual conference.

As Stephen Flynn prepares to open the event in Aberdeen, the findings have left him “red-faced”, with only 11% of Scots wanting another contest prioritised.

Instead, voters want the Scottish Government to focus on the cost of living, the NHS, and energy bills.

The poll was conducted by Survation on behalf of Scotland in Union, with more than 1,000 people taking part and fieldwork concluding on 14th October 2026.

Even among those who voted for the SNP in the constituency ballot in May’s election, only 29% said another referendum should be among the top three priorities for the government.

Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said:

“This is a devastating poll for the SNP, exposing how the party is at odds with the priorities of the people of Scotland.

“John Swinney and his ministers are hopelessly out of touch, and Stephen Flynn has been left red-faced by focusing on another referendum in his opening speech.

“While the nationalists resort to navel gazing, these results prove that voters don’t share the SNP’s obsession with another unwanted referendum. They want their government to prioritise the cost of living, fix the crisis in our NHS, and tackle energy bills.

“If SNP politicians are serious about governing for everyone in our country, they will listen to the people of Scotland and drop their obsession with trying to divide us once again.”

The Survation poll asked respondents to choose the top three priorities from a long list of policy areas.

The cost of living was ranked in the top three by 68% of voters, followed by the NHS on 46%, and energy bills on 28%.

Other issues including immigration, housing, and crime were all prioritised ahead of another Scottish independence referendum, which scored just 11%.

The sample size of the poll was 1,001 adults aged 16 or over in Scotland, with fieldwork conducted between 9th and 14th October 2026.

Poll slides here.

Tables available here.