Scottish Politics August 2005

According to a MORI Scotland survey for the Scottish Television programme 'Politics Now', over half of Scottish adults believe that the Scottish Parliament should be given more powers. In spite of negative publicity over the cost of the Parliament building, and electoral turnout around ten points lower than for Westminster General Elections, the survey confirms previous studies showing a level of confidence in the principle of devolution.

The survey also reveals that nearly four times as many Scots would be more attracted to a party if it promised to cut taxes than would be put off it. Twenty seven per cent of Scottish adults say they would be more likely to support a party proposing income tax cuts in an election for the Scottish Parliament. Just 8% said they would be less likely to support such a party. Meanwhile, almost six in ten (57%) say that it would make no difference to their support.

Technical details

The MORI Scotland survey was conducted for STV with a representative sample of 1,007 Scottish adults. Interviews were conducted by telephone from 24-30 August 2005 and our question was part of an omnibus survey conducted by Scottish Opinion Ltd.

Q1 To what extent do you agree or disagree that the Scottish Parliament should be given more powers?

Q2 Q If, at the next Scottish Parliament Elections, a party that you might consider voting for said that it planned to cut income tax, would this make you more or less likely to support them, or would it make no difference?