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Most 'support English parliament' 'Most' support English parliament
(30 minutes later)
Most people, including the Scottish and Welsh, believe England should have its own parliament, a BBC poll suggests. Most people, including those in Scotland, think England should have its own parliament, a BBC poll suggests.
The poll for Newsnight found 61% in England, 51% of those in Scotland and 48% of those in Wales thought there should be an English Parliament. Newsnight found 61% in England, 51% in Scotland and 48% in Wales agreed with the idea.
The poll, marking 300 years of the Act of Union, was of 883 adults in England, 543 in Scotland and 527 in Wales. The poll, carried out to mark 300 years since the Act of Union, was of 883 adults in England, 543 in Scotland and 527 in Wales.
More people in Scotland wanted the Union to remain rather than break up. Its results come ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in May, dubbed by some as a "referendum" on independence.
Seventeen per cent of Scots and 20% of Welsh thought that the Union would continue for another 300 years. More people in Scotland wanted the Union to remain rather than break up, Newsnight found.
However, only 17% of Scots and 20% of Welsh thought that the Union would continue for another 300 years.
Graph of opinions on English ParliamentGraph of opinions on English Parliament
Nearly a quarter - 23% - of those in England also thought it would be in place for that long.Nearly a quarter - 23% - of those in England also thought it would be in place for that long.
READ THE FINDINGS Newsnight Act of Union poll [128KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE FINDINGS Newsnight Act of Union poll [128KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
But half of all those questioned thought the Union had less than a century to go - in England 49%, Scotland 51% and in Wales 50%. Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond said the Scottish election would be a "referendum" on independence.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There's far more support for independence than there's ever been."
He added: "People feel far more Scottish than British."
Mr Salmond said that, if independence was gained, Scotland would keep the pound in the short term, before adopting the euro.
He also accused the government of presiding over slow economic growth - 1.9% a year - in contrast with that for other small northern European nations, such as Ireland, Iceland and Norway.
'Serious questions'
But Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander, who is running Labour's campaign for the Scottish election, said: "The great outcome of devolution is it allows people to demonstrate their identity within the United Kingdom and, at the same time, not break up the United Kingdom."
Scottish identity was not "one-dimensional", he added, while there were "serious questions" to be asked about the affordability of independence.
Half of all those questioned by Newsnight thought the Union had less than a century to go - in England 49%, in Scotland 51% and in Wales 50%.
There was a division over whether there would be economic benefits if the three countries split.There was a division over whether there would be economic benefits if the three countries split.
In England, nearly a quarter - 24% - thought they would lose out if there was a break-up of the Union, and another quarter (25%) thought they would benefit. Another 44% thought it would make no difference. In England, nearly a quarter - 24% - thought they would lose out and another quarter (25%) thought they would benefit. Another 44% thought it would make no difference.
Many more people in Scotland thought they would do worse out of separation (37%), while 31% though they would be better off.Many more people in Scotland thought they would do worse out of separation (37%), while 31% though they would be better off.
The poll also found that 73% of people in England and 56% of those in Scotland wanted things to remain the way they were.The poll also found that 73% of people in England and 56% of those in Scotland wanted things to remain the way they were.
In Wales, 49% thought they would be worse off if the Union dissolved. Only 14% thought they would gain.In Wales, 49% thought they would be worse off if the Union dissolved. Only 14% thought they would gain.
The Newsnight poll, carried out by Opinion Research Business, came after recent fresh calls for England to have its own Parliament.The Newsnight poll, carried out by Opinion Research Business, came after recent fresh calls for England to have its own Parliament.
In October, an architect of Scottish devolution said it was a "sovereign right" for the English to have a Parliament of their own. In October, an architect of Scottish devolution said it was a "sovereign right".
Canon Kenyon Wright said it was "undemocratic" that Scottish MPs could vote on England-only issues but not vice versa.Canon Kenyon Wright said it was "undemocratic" that Scottish MPs could vote on England-only issues but not vice versa.
TV debate
He said he wanted to see "a strong English Parliament" and a strengthened Welsh legislature.He said he wanted to see "a strong English Parliament" and a strengthened Welsh legislature.
Opponents say they fear the break-up of the United Kingdom.Opponents say they fear the break-up of the United Kingdom.
The English polled believed the end of the Union would make no difference to them (76%), with only 11% believing it would enhance English culture.The English polled believed the end of the Union would make no difference to them (76%), with only 11% believing it would enhance English culture.
Jeremy Paxman and Kirsty Wark will host a BBC Newsnight debate on an Act of Disunion on BBC Two at 2230 GMT. Jeremy Paxman and Kirsty Wark will host a BBC Newsnight debate on an Act of Disunion on BBC Two at 2230 GMT on Tuesday.
The debate will be held in the historic Parliament Hall in Edinburgh where - 300 years ago to the day - the Scottish Parliament voted to sign up to the Act of Union.
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