Welsh independence groups look to have a bright future with polls suggesting the majority of young people support a split from the United Kingdom.
While 53% of all Welsh adults say they would vote “no” in a referendum on independence, were it held tomorrow, compared to just 33% who would say “yes,” more than half (51%) of those in the 25-34 age bracket would give their backing to a break. That is according to polling by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, which, it is worth noting, asked just over 1,000 people earlier this month.
Responding to the same question, 41% of those aged 18 to 24 said they would vote “yes,” while a majority of those in older age brackets—45 to 54 (62%), 55 to 64 (56%) and 65+ (64%)—said they would vote “no.” A clear majority (60%) of all those polled said they support there being a Welsh Parliament.
Looking at the more focused issues raised in this round of polling, it is perhaps only surprising that more Welsh voters don’t back independence.
Among this group, the UK government holds negative net approval ratings on every policy area raised, including -56% on the NHS, -15% on education, and -32% on crime and policing.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s approval rating in Wales, according to Redfield & Wilton Strategies, is -20%.
And the national alternative, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, is hardly swimming in popularity, with a net approval rating in Wales of -5%.
Existing ties between Wales and England, Scotland and Northern Ireland must be strong if all this is enough to persuade only 33% of Welsh people to support leaving the lot.
