THE latest ICM poll on the referendum shows the ''devolution ship is sailing ahead'' despite setbacks over sleaze and backs up System Three polls in The Herald, according to a leading Scots academic.
The ICM survey, carried out at the height of Labour's sleaze allegations in Paisley, showed 68% of those questioned said there should be a Scottish parliament, while 56% said it should have tax-varying powers.
In addition, 91% said the recent controversies involving Labour MPs in Paisley and Govan made no difference to their intention to vote for a Scottish parliament, with only 5% saying they would now be less likely to do so.
Professor Richard Rose, director of the Centre for the Study of Public Policy at Strathclyde University, said last night: ''It's consistent with The Herald's System Three polls over the past couple of months.
''It shows that the devolution ship continues to sail ahead with the events of the past week, especially in Paisley, acting as a reminder that if you are in a boat there could be rough water, but it isn't putting the people committed to devolution off course.''
He said the results of the question on tax-varying powers underscored the fact that the vote on the tax issue in the referendum could be close.
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