Scottish leader predicts 80% poll turnout

The independence referendum will attract the biggest turnout in Scotland’s history next month and draw people who have never voted before and do not feature in opinion polls, Alex Salmond has predicted.

The SNP leader, a former racing tipster, urged political punters to put their money on an unprecedented 80% turnout.

With the yes campaign steadfastly trailing in the polls, Salmond has pinned his hopes on people with no voting record “who are not touched by opinion polls” turning out for yes.

In a wide-ranging  Edinburgh Book Festival appearance with eminent historian Tom Devine, Salmond pinned much of the blame for the collapse of Royal Bank of Scotland on its London employees and recalled how his father wanted to hang Winston Churchill.

Salmond conceded that some parts of Scotland have benefited from being part of the UK in the past.

He said: “I think the best bet of this referendum is a bet on an 80% poll. If you can get odds on an 80% poll, you bet it.”

Devine said: “It will be the biggest poll in Scotland’s history in terms of turnout.”

Salmond added: “Absolutely, and many of the people who will be voting will be people who are not touched by opinion polls and opinion surveys, which tend to discount people with no voting record, and I think that’s going to be a major factor.”