This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter.

Scottish independence already exists in a strange quantum state. If you examine opinion polling, it’s clear there’s more support for independence than support for the union. In the 25 major surveys carried out since the start of 2026, Yes leads in 16, and No in nine. In four of those polls, Yes was at either 50% or 52%. The highest lead over No was 12%.

So it’s obvious which side is winning the argument. However, if you look at what voters consider as electoral priorities, then independence doesn’t fare so well. Before May’s Holyrood election, independence only ranked sixth when it came to issues voters cared about. The economy, health, immigration, education and housing all outranked independence.

Even for SNP voters, independence wasn’t the top concern, coming third after the economy and health. For Greens, independence ranked fourth, after the economy, health and the environment.

The central problem is clear: there’s a disconnect between theoretical support for independence and passion for independence. That’s a serious problem for the Yes movement and the SNP.

Sure, more folk than not are attracted to Yes, but they don’t want to fight for it. In politics, on an issue as huge as independence, if you can’t mobilise voters, then you’re going nowhere.

Shame on Drumcree Orangeman: they desecrate the memories of the dead

Are you ready for movies going........

© Herald Scotland