New poll shows around a third of people in Wales now back independence

A third of the people of Wales would vote for independence if there was a referendum tomorrow, according to a new poll.

YesCymru – the campaign for an independent Wales – has released the findings of a YouGov opinion survey commissioned earlier this month.

The organisation also highlighted the fact that around 42 per cent of Labour voters would back independence.

There is some regional variation however, with 27 per cent of people in the north of Wales saying they would opt for self-determination.

It represents the second lowest level of support with the south east slightly less at 26 per cent.

The total sample size was 1,044 people and discounts all those who said they would not vote, don’t know or refused to answer.

YesCymru chair, Sion Jobbins, said: “Once again, this poll shows that around a third of the people of Wales who said they would vote would vote for independence if a referendum was held tomorrow. That’s a massive increase in support from just a few years ago.

“It also shows that support for independence is now mainstream and cross-party, with 42% of those who voted for Labour in 2019 saying that they would vote for independence if a referendum was held tomorrow.

“There is growing support throughout Wales ranging from 26% in the south east to 37% in the south west in favour of independence. This is an issue that has excited people throughout Wales.

“It is also heartwarming to see that the younger generations see that Westminster isn’t working for Wales, and that a better Wales is possible with 46% of 16-24 year olds saying that they would vote for independence if a referendum was held tomorrow.

“With the latest opinion polls in Scotland pointing towards 55% supporting independence, people in Wales need to start thinking what should happen in Wales when Scotland gains independence from Westminster rule – we imagine the support for an independent Wales would then be higher still.”

The question asked was “If there was a referendum tomorrow on Wales becoming an independent country and this was the question, how would you vote? Should Wales be an independent country?”

The results for those who voted yes were as follows:

Overall
32% – YES

Age – YES
46% – 16-24
39% – 25-49
30% – 50-64
18% – 65+

Vote in 2019 – YES
68% – Plaid Cymru
42% – Labour
21% – Lib Dems
11% – Conservatives

Region – YES
37% – South Wales West
36% – Cardiff and South Central
34% – Mid and West
27% – North
26% – South Wales East