A politics expert has claimed that Labour voters are “susceptible” to voting in favour of Scottish independence.
Dr Peter Lynch, of Stirling University, spoke out after the SNP claimed a survey they carried out during the Cowdenbeath by-election campaign showed 41% of 11,727 people of all political persuasions said they planned to tick the “yes” box.
A total of 36% respondents said “No” and 23% said they were undecided.
Local Government Minister Derek Mackay claimed the results showed that Labour’s victory in the by-election would have little bearing on the outcome of the referendum.
Dr Lynch said: “If there’s going to be a “Yes” vote it is going to be gained through voters in Cowdenbeath and places like it, switching even though they are Labour voters to support independence.
“Labour Party members, Labour Party high command, know that their voters might be susceptible to voting Yes even though they still vote Labour.”
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently appealed to Labour and Conservative supporters to back independence.
She claimed the opportunity for the country to take charge of its affairs was an attractive proposition and “party loyalty should not be a decisive factor”.
Earlier this week former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars claimed the independence campaign would fail without Labour support.
SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said: “Labour voters know that a Yes vote is about securing a better future for our country – it is not a vote for the SNP.
“Currently, the Scottish Labour Party is unable to be true to its own values so long as it has to continually adhere to the London line – a Yes vote would ensure the party is no longer constrained by Westminster.”