Scotland's pro-independence camp narrows gap in the polls

Scotland&#039;s pro-independence camp narrows gap in the polls — (Image credit: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images)

A month ago, Yes Scotland, the organization pushing for Scotland to secede from the United Kingdom, was uncomfortably behind in the polls, 61 percent to 39 percent against. Since then, the pro-independence movement has been closing the gap, to a still-distant 57 percent to 43 percent in mid-August. A new YouGov poll has the Yes camp to within 6 points of the No side, 53 percent to 47 percent, and a recent debate between the two sides was widely seen to be won by pro-independence Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

Both sides tried to spin the new poll in their favor, with the Yes side claiming "big momentum" and the No side pointing out that it still has a comfortable majority on its side. Scotland goes to the polls on Sept. 18.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.