1979 Devolution Referendum Campaign - Survey 2
A MORI poll of Scottish attitudes and voting intentions on 20-22 February 1979, ahead of the referendum on 1 March
MORI interviewed an interlocking quota sample of 1,037 adults aged 18+ in 40 constituencies across Scotland on 20-22 February 1979. Interviews were conducted face to face. The survey was conducted for the Scottish Daily Express.
Q1. As you may know, the Scottish people will vote on 1st March in a referendum to decide whether there should be a Scottish Assembly or not. How likely are you to vote in this referendum?
| % | |
|---|---|
| Absolutely certain will vote | 51 |
| Fairly certain will vote | 26 |
| Not sure whether will vote or not | 11 |
| Fairly certain will not vote | 4 |
| Absolutely certain will not vote | 5 |
| Don't know | 3 |
Q2. If you do vote in this referendum, will you vote for the setting up of a Scottish Assembly or not?
| All | Absolutely certain to vote | |
|---|---|---|
| % | % | |
| Yes, will vote for Scottish Assembly | 45 | 54 |
| No, will vote opposing Scottish Assembly | 30 | 33 |
| Will not vote | 5 | * |
| Don't know | 20 | 12 |
Q3. Would you be in favour of having a Scottish Assembly if it meant that the 71 Scottish MPs now at Westminster were to be reduced to about three-quarters, say about 57 MPs? Q4. Would you be in favour of having a Scottish Assembly if it meant that there would no longer be a Secretary of State for Scotland sitting in the British Cabinet? Q5. And would you be in favour of having a Scottish Assembly if it cost the Scottish people £13 million a year?
| Q3 MPs reduced | Q4 No Secretary of State | Q5 Cost £13m | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | |
| Yes | 44 | 32 | 35 |
| No | 37 | 47 | 47 |
| Don't know | 19 | 21 | 18 |
Q6. How much do you personally care about the results of the referendum on the Scottish Assembly?
| % | |
|---|---|
| I care very much | 33 |
| Care a lot/quite a bit | 41 |
| I don’t know/much care | 19 |
| I don’t care at all | 5 |
| Don’t know | 3 |
Q7. Which of these national politicians best represents your views?
| % | |
|---|---|
| James Callaghan | 33 |
| Margaret Thatcher | 20 |
| David Steel | 9 |
| Enoch Powell | 4 |
| Tony Benn | 3 |
| None of these | 24 |
| Don't know | 7 |
Q8. Which of these Scottish politicians best represents your views?
| % | |
|---|---|
| Teddy Taylor | 22 |
| Margo MacDonald | 18 |
| Bruce Millan | 11 |
| Jo Grimond | 9 |
| Tam Dalyell | 7 |
| None of these | 21 |
| Don't know | 14 |
Q9. Now I would like you to tell me which of these politicians are in favour of a Scottish Assembly? Q10. And which of them are opposed to a Scottish Assembly?
| In favour | Opposed | Net | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | ±% | |
| Margo MacDonald | 70 | 1 | +69 |
| Bruce Millan | 25 | 4 | +21 |
| Jo Grimond | 17 | 7 | +10 |
| Tam Dalyell | 6 | 35 | -29 |
| Teddy Taylor | 6 | 44 | -38 |
| None of these | 2 | 2 | |
| Don't know | 22 | 36 |
Q11. How would you vote if there were a general election tomorrow? Q12 (If undecided or refused) Which party are you most inclined to support in a general election? Base: All expressing a voting intention (941)
| % | |
|---|---|
| Conservative | 32 |
| Labour | 44 |
| Liberal | 2 |
| SNP | 21 |
| Other | 1 |
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