Image credit: Martaina MacDhomhnail
Scotland independence campaign's clarion call has worked, says poll chief, writes Libby Brooks of the Guardian, who reports that according to the latest poll by YouGov a "blitzkreig" campaign for Scottish independence has given the movement a two-point lead over the unionists just two weeks before the election.
Analysing the survey, which put yes at 51%, to 49% for no, Kellner wrote: "Seldom has the term 'knife-edge' carried such lethal force. A two-point gap is too small for us to call the outcome."
The speed and size of the collapse in the no campaign's lead is astonishing, Kellner said. "The fact that the contest is too close to call is itself remarkable, as Better Together seemed to have victory in the bag. Month after month, they held a steady lead, averaging no 58%, yes 42%. In the past four weeks, support for the union has drained away at an astonishing rate."
Kellner also noted that Alex Salmond has succeeded in neutralising the fear factor around independence, particularly in terms of economic risks. YouGov polling in late June found that only 27% of voters thought Scotland would be more prosperous if it left the union. That figure has risen to 40%, while those fearing the country would be worse off have gone from 49% to 42%.
Reuters reports Scottish Independence Supporters Lead Poll For First Time
The late showing by the independence camp has hit sterling on the foreign exchanges and electrified Britain's political class after its summer break.
A vote to break away would be followed by negotiations with London on what to do about the currency, the national debt, North Sea oil and the future of Britain's nuclear submarine base in Scotland ahead of independence penciled in for March 24, 2016.
If Scots voted to leave the United Kingdom, Prime Minister David Cameron would face calls to resign ahead of a national election in May 2015 while the opposition Labor party's chances of gaining a majority could be scuppered if it lost its Scottish lawmakers.
Nationalists accuse London of squandering Scotland's wealth and say Scotland would be one of the world's richest countries if it took control of its own destiny.
Looks like the unionist are becoming a wee bit worried of the prospect of Scottish independence.
6:15 AM PT: Headlines announce David Cameron is having an emergency meeting with the Queen this morning.