Tory victory SNP's best hope for independence

ALEX Salmond's dream of an independent Scotland is more likely to become a reality if the Tories win the general election, a new poll for The Scotsman has revealed.

Tory leader David Cameron rallies the party faithful in Brighton yesterday after a poll put the Conservatives only two points ahead of Labour. Mr Cameron admitted his party faced a "real fight" and that the election would be "close", but ended his speech by saying: "Get out there and win it for Britain."

In the YouGov survey, 31 per cent of Scots said they would be more likely to vote for independence if the Conservatives took power at Westminster.

Last week, Mr Salmond unveiled a revised SNP independence strategy but said he would not publish his referendum bill until after the "febrile atmosphere" of the UK general election had abated. His delaying tactics were derided by opposition politicians, but they appear to have been vindicated by today's poll suggesting his cause would be helped greatly by a Conservative election victory.