ALMOST a third of voters in Wales would vote for independence if a poll were held tomorrow, a fresh survey has shown, with campaigners declaring it is “within reach”.
A newly published Survation poll of 1032 people showed that 32% of likely voters would opt for Yes, with 68% voting No once the "don’t knows" are removed.
But the poll also shows more than half of people in Wales place themselves at a midpoint or above when asked how strongly they support or oppose Welsh independence.
When all respondents were asked to place themselves on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being strongly opposed to independence, 54% placed themselves at 5 or above.
This includes 34% who placed themselves between 6 and 10, on the pro-independence side of the scale, and a further 20% at the midpoint of 5.
The survey showed that younger voters are more likely to back independence with all age groups below 45 backing Yes.
Campaign group YesCymru said the findings show that while nearly a third of likely voters are already prepared to vote Yes, there is a much wider section of the Welsh public that could potentially be persuaded to support independence.
The Survation polling also showed what is holding Welsh voters back from supporting independence.
Asked what they believed was the biggest barrier preventing Wales from becoming independent, 46% identified economic fears.
Just 5% said British identity was the biggest barrier, while only 5% identified public opposition or a lack of desire for independence. A further 20% cited government and political factors.
YesCymru chair Rob Hughes said: “These figures show why we believe a majority for independence is within reach.
“We have to build confidence in Wales’ economic future and make the case for how independence can deliver a better country.
“We do not accept that this is as good as it gets for Wales. We believe our country can do better, and we are determined to make the case for an independent Wales that improves the lives of everyone who calls Wales home.
“That is what our campaign for an independence referendum by 2032 is about. There is substantial support to build on, but a majority will not happen by itself.
“Our task over the next six years is to build that majority, and to give the people of Wales the opportunity to choose their own future.”
The findings come after YesCymru launched its 2032 campaign in August, calling for a referendum on Welsh independence by 2032 and setting out the movement’s aim of building majority support for independence over the next six years.
The poll also put Plaid Cymru ahead in Senedd voting intention, on 33%, with Reform UK in second place on 31%.
Labour were a distant third on 14%, followed by the Conservatives on 9%, the Greens on 6% and the LibDems on 5%.
Another Welsh independence march is set to take place in Aberystwyth in a fortnight on Saturday, September 26.
Supporters from across Wales will gather beside Aberystwyth Castle before marching through the town and returning to Castle Gardens for a rally.
It comes after Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts told The National that terms seemingly set out on Wednesday in the Commons by Andy Burnham for another Scottish independence referendum must also apply to Wales.
Burnham said the rules governing when a repeat of the 2014 vote in Scotland can be held should be “exactly the same” as those for an Irish reunification referendum.
The Good Friday Agreement states that the UK Northern Ireland Secretary “shall” call a referendum on Irish reunification if it looks likely that the people would vote in support.
However, Burnham rowed back on his statement on Thursday in a letter to John Swinney. He said Northern Ireland and Scotland have "distinct constitutional arrangements" and claimed he was only highlighting "there is no consensus for an independence referendum in Scotland".
