Support grows for SNP but not independence

At the same time, support for the SNP is now at 48 per cent - 15 per cent more than what they achieved at Holyrood elections three months ago.

The poll of 1012 adults across Scotland, carried out by Progressive Scottish Opinion, shows support for the SNP in the Lothian and Borders is among the lowest in the Scotland at 30 per cent.

Fife is the area most in favour of independence, with 43 per cent support.

Plans for an independence referendum are to be spelled out in a white paper published by the party next week.

However it emerged today that the finer details of how an independent Scotland would work in reality may not be revealed until after an independence referendum.

The Scottish Independence Convention, an SNP think tank, has recommended that issues such as whether Scotland would apply to join the EU and NATO if it was independent should not be part of any debate about a referendum.

Professor John Curtice, of Strathclyde University, said the poll suggested that voters were happy with the SNP but not comfortable with the idea of separating from the UK.

He was reported as saying: "Mr Salmond and his colleagues have got off to a good start in convincing the public the SNP can provide good government.

"But, contrary to the SNP's hopes, demonstrating that the party can govern is evidently doing nothing to persuade Scots of the case for independence.

"Rather, it may be persuading Scots that devolution can, in fact, be made to work effectively in Scotland's interests after all.

The survey, which asked if the election was tomorrow which party would be your first choice, shows Labour still on its election footing of 32 per cent of the vote but both the Tories and Lib Dems losing votes to the nationalists. The SNP government is committed to introducing a bill paving the way for a referendum but it does not have the support of enough MSPs from other parties to secure its passage through parliament.

Last month plans for an independence petition were unveiled as part of a bid to force MSPs to agree to a referendum.

However, next week's white paper on independence is likely to face fierce opposition from the SNP's Holyrood rivals.

An SNP spokesman said: "These are sensational figures, showing SNP support up 15 points since the election - and clearly there is no 'Brown bounce' in Scotland.

"The SNP has built credibility and competence in government and that is reflected in the satisfaction figures running at over three to one in favour.

"No previous Scottish government has built up such a solid platform of support in its first 100 days.

"Support for independence depends on how you ask the question - with as many polls in favour as against - and the important thing now is that we lead a national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future, which will galvanise further support."