The English are relaxed about Scottish devolution, but would like a bigger say over their own affairs. A special Populus poll for The Times, to mark the tenth anniversary of the first elections to the Scottish Parliament, suggests that devolution is now widely accepted on both sides of the border. There are English sensitivities but no real sign of anger or passion against it.

The poll, undertaken between April 29 and May 3, involved a sample of 911 adults in England and Wales and 500 in Scotland. More than two thirds of voters (70 per cent) believe that devolution has been good for Scotland, although more north of the Border (18 per cent) than south (7 per cent) think that it has been bad. But there is a much narrower balance on whether Scottish devolution has been good or bad for the rest of Britain: 42 per cent against 37 per cent in the view of those in England and Wales.

Moreover, any idea of a Tartan or Union Jack backlash looks far fetched. A big majority in both Scotland (65 per cent), and England and Wales (73 per cent) think that relations between the two are about the same as before devolution a decade ago. While 24 per cent in Scotland think that they are worse, only 14 per cent in England agree and 8 per cent in both countries say they are better.

Similarly, well over four fifths (83 per cent in England and Wales, and 86 per cent in Scotland) say that their own cross-border attitudes are little changed. A mere one in twenty says that they are more distant.

The allocation of money between parts of Britain — the much hyped, but less understood, Barnett Formula — arouses some resentment, but no anger. Admittedly, 31 per cent in England and Wales say that Scotland gets too much money from the rest of Britain (as opposed to just 3 per cent north of the Border), a half (49 per cent) say that Scotland gets a fair share.

Looking ahead, English and Welsh voters want to preserve the Union but seem unlikely to man the barricades to do so. While 49 per cent hope that, in any future referendum, Scottish voters will decide to remain part of the United Kingdom, 15 per cent hope that they will decide to become independent. But 36 per cent say they do not mind either way what Scottish voters decide.

A sizeable minority in England and Wales (41 per cent) support the idea of an English parliament, 15 per cent oppose it and 44 per cent say they don’t know. The Conservative leadership will be pleased that more than half the public outside Scotland (52 per cent) back the idea that only English MPs should be allowed to participate in Commons votes on matters only affecting English constituencies. But 16 per cent oppose that and 32 per cent say they don’t know. Much of the passion could go out of this issue if the Tories win an overall majority: the Scots could then lose their leverage.

Populus interviewed a random sample of 911 adults aged 18 and over in England & Wales and a random sample of 500 adults aged 18 and over in Scotland by telephone between April 29 and May 3. Interviews were conducted across these countries and the results of each sample have been weighted to be representative of all adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For more details go to www.populus.co.uk

Times Recommends

• We have kit and leadership. Let’s go
• Behind the scenes at the biggest deal
• Conferences — what a waste of money