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Scotland referendum sides told to keep campaigns civil and peaceful Scotland referendum sides told to keep campaigns civil and peaceful
(about 1 hour later)
Supporters of Scottish independence welcomed as a "breakthough" the latest polling figures which showed the yes vote rising by eight points in a month. Supporters of Scottish independence welcomed as a "breakthough" the latest polling figures showing the yes vote rising by eight points in a month.
The latest YouGov poll on Monday night put the no camp six points ahead of the yes campaign, down from 14 points in mid-August and 22 points early last month, excluding undecided voters. Excluding "don't knows", 53% of those polled planned to vote no, while 47% would back yes. The latest YouGov poll on Monday night put the no camp six points ahead of the yes campaign, down from 14 points in mid-August and 22 points early last month, excluding undecided voters.
Excluding "don't knows", 53% of those polled planned to vote no, while 47% would back yes.
This compares with 57% for yes and 43% for no in mid-August and 61%-39% at the beginning of last month.This compares with 57% for yes and 43% for no in mid-August and 61%-39% at the beginning of last month.
Blair Jenkins, the head of Yes Scotland, said: "This breakthrough poll shows that yes has the big momentum – it's an all-time high for yes support in a YouGov survey so far, and an eight-point swing from no to yes in just three weeks. We only need another three-point swing to achieve a yes for Scotland on September 18. Blair Jenkins, the head of Yes Scotland, said: "This breakthrough poll shows that yes has the big momentum – it's an all-time high for yes support in a YouGov survey so far, and an eight-point swing from no to yes in just three weeks.
"We only need another three-point swing to achieve a yes for Scotland on 18 September.
"While the no campaign press the panic button and blame each other for a series of blunders, yes will get on with the job of persuading more of our fellow citizens – both no and undecided voters – that we need a yes vote to put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands.""While the no campaign press the panic button and blame each other for a series of blunders, yes will get on with the job of persuading more of our fellow citizens – both no and undecided voters – that we need a yes vote to put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands."
The latest poll for the Sun and the Times questioned 1,063 respondents between 28 August and 1 September.The latest poll for the Sun and the Times questioned 1,063 respondents between 28 August and 1 September.
The Better Together campaign director, Blair McDougall, said: "We need the silent majority who back a no vote to do their bit. Whether it's voting on the day, knocking on doors, making phone calls or speaking to friends and family, the silent majority should feel confident in speaking up. We will not be complacent for one second and will do everything we can to secure the brightest future for Scotland within the UK. The Better Together campaign director, Blair McDougall, said: "We need the silent majority who back a no vote to do their bit. Whether it's voting on the day, knocking on doors, making phone calls or speaking to friends and family, the silent majority should feel confident in speaking up.
"The nationalists talk as if they are winning but the truth is this is yet another poll showing the campaign for Scotland to stay in the UK in the lead. We speak for the majority of Scots, but this poll confirms that if people want Scotland to stay in the UK then they need to vote for it." "We will not be complacent for one second and will do everything we can to secure the brightest future for Scotland within the UK.
"The nationalists talk as if they are winning but the truth is, this is yet another poll showing the campaign for Scotland to stay in the UK in the lead.
"We speak for the majority of Scots, but this poll confirms that if people want Scotland to stay in the UK then they need to vote for it."
The poll came as the chairman of the Scottish Police Federation warned campaigners and politicians against using "intemperate, inflammatory and exaggerated language", after a senior no campaign source suggested that polling day could descend into "absolute carnage".The poll came as the chairman of the Scottish Police Federation warned campaigners and politicians against using "intemperate, inflammatory and exaggerated language", after a senior no campaign source suggested that polling day could descend into "absolute carnage".
Brian Docherty said: "The independence debate has been robust but overwhelmingly good-natured and it would prove a disservice to those who have participated in it thus far to suggest that with 17 days to go, Scotland is about to disintegrate into absolute carnage on the back of making the most important decision in the country's history."Brian Docherty said: "The independence debate has been robust but overwhelmingly good-natured and it would prove a disservice to those who have participated in it thus far to suggest that with 17 days to go, Scotland is about to disintegrate into absolute carnage on the back of making the most important decision in the country's history."
Earlier, Alistair Darling, the leader of the no campaign, said he would talk to police chiefs about plans for polling day and his "increasing concerns about the temperature of the debate".Earlier, Alistair Darling, the leader of the no campaign, said he would talk to police chiefs about plans for polling day and his "increasing concerns about the temperature of the debate".
Docherty added: "Politicians and supporters of whichever point of view need to be mindful of the potential impact of intemperate, inflammatory and exaggerated language, lest they be seen to seek to create a self-fulfilling prophecy."Docherty added: "Politicians and supporters of whichever point of view need to be mindful of the potential impact of intemperate, inflammatory and exaggerated language, lest they be seen to seek to create a self-fulfilling prophecy."
The former Scotland secretary Jim Murphy on Monday announced his "100 towns in 100 days" tour would resume in Edinburgh on Tuesday. Murphy had suspended his countrywide soap-box tour for 72 hours after accusing local yes campaign groups of orchestrating confrontations at his street meetings. The MP was pelted with eggs in Kirkcaldy last Wednesday. The former Scotland secretary Jim Murphy on Monday announced that his "100 towns in 100 days" tour would resume in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Mary Pitcaithly, the chief counting officer for the referendum, said she had no concerns about voters' conduct on polling day., adding that it was normal practice to work with police on matters of public safety and security for any election of referendum event. "A high turnout is expected on the day, but we have taken steps to address this by allocating a maximum of 800 electors to each polling place across the country. This will help to ensure everyone can cast their vote without having to queue for an unacceptable amount of time." Murphy had suspended his countrywide soapbox tour for 72 hours after accusing local yes campaign groups of orchestrating confrontations at his street meetings. The MP was pelted with eggs in Kirkcaldy last Wednesday.
Asst Ch Const Bernard Higgins, of Police Scotland, said: "The referendum is a significant event which is expected to attract a higher than normal turnout. Policing arrangements for the referendum are well in hand and will be appropriate and proportionate. Police Scotland's priority is to ensure public safety and security." Mary Pitcaithly, the chief counting officer for the referendum, said she had no concerns about voter conduct on polling day, adding that it was normal practice to work with police on matters of public safety and security for any election of referendum event.
"A high turnout is expected on the day, but we have taken steps to address this by allocating a maximum of 800 electors to each polling place across the country. This will help to ensure everyone can cast their vote without having to queue for an unacceptable amount of time."
Asst Ch Const Bernard Higgins, of Police Scotland, said: "The referendum is a significant event which is expected to attract a higher than normal turnout.
"Policing arrangements for the referendum are well in hand and will be appropriate and proportionate. Police Scotland's priority is to ensure public safety and security."
So far, a 55-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on a woman, following what was described as a "heated debate" between yes and no supporters in Glasgow on Saturday.So far, a 55-year-old man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault on a woman, following what was described as a "heated debate" between yes and no supporters in Glasgow on Saturday.
Police are also investigating an allegation of assault following an incident outside Tynecastle stadium, again on Saturday afternoon. Filmed footage appears to show members of the group Hearts Supporters for Independence being threatened by men singing Rule Britannia. Police are also investigating an allegation of assault following an incident outside Tynecastle stadium in Edinburgh, again on Saturday afternoon.
A police source acknowledged that, with seventeen 17 days to go and passions running high, incidents like these were likely to increase in frequency. They said that level heads were required, and raised the question of whether the no campaign were using such events to unnerve voters into supporting the status quo. Filmed footage appears to show members of the group Hearts Supporters for Independence being threatened by men singing Rule Britannia.
Better Together said that it had yet to receive a response to Murphy's demand that Yes Scotland "call off their mobs". McDougall, wrote to Jenkins on Friday. The campaign said it had received assurances from Police Scotland that they will be keeping a much closer eye on Murphy's events. A police source acknowledged that, with 17 days to go and passions running high, incidents like these were likely to increase in frequency.
They said that level heads were required, and raised the question of whether the no campaign was using such events to unnerve voters into supporting the status quo.
Better Together said that it had yet to receive a response to Murphy's demand that Yes Scotland "call off their mobs".
McDougall wrote to Jenkins on Friday. The campaign said it had received assurances from Police Scotland that they will be keeping a much closer eye on Murphy's events.