SNP joy at "double the No vote" in strath
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Local MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) is claiming that the Yes vote is double the No returns from a recent survey in his constituency.
The member for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has hailed a "mould-breaking referendum survey result" and signals his hope to represent Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in the first Independent Scottish Parliament in 309 years.
Mr Thompson sought permission from the Scottish Parliament to issue impartial questionnaires to his constituents.
His office distributed approximately 1300 of these randomly across the constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in early January 2014.
Since then the responses have been coming in, and despite not including stamped/addressed envelopes, a "very creditable" 234 were returned (18%).
The questionnaire sought input in a number of categories and then asked if folk would indicate their Referendum voting intention.
The results:
Yes 117 returns (50.0%)
No 61 returns (26.1%)
Don’t know 51 returns (21.8%)
Not voting/can’t vote 5 returns
Total 234 returns
Mr Thompson said, "I am delighted that the ‘Yes’ returns are running at almost double the ‘No’ returns. If the Don’t Knows split the same way this points to an overwhelming Yes result in the Referendum in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
"Even if all the Don’t knows were to vote ‘No’ the result is still a victory for ‘Yes’.
"I have been honoured to represent Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch - not forgetting Dingwall, Loch Ness, Aird and the Black Isle - folk over the past few years.
"This survey result gives me great hope that the next election I will stand in (God willing) will be in 2016 for the first Independent Scottish Parliament in 309 years.
"When I hope the people of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch will do me the honour of electing me once more."
