SNP poll lead shows I’m connecting with Scots – Swinney
The survey also puts Reform UK on 14 seats.
The First Minister has said the SNP’s lead in a new poll shows his leadership is connecting with Scots.
A Survation survey for Quantum Communications released on Wednesday, which spoke to 1,012 people between March 6 and 13, suggested the SNP could win 55 seats at the next election, with Labour falling to 19.
The Conservatives would drop to 17, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK would win 14 seats at the first time of asking.
The Liberal Democrats would jump to 13, the Greens would increase their number to 10 and Alba would return one MSP.
“Now, you all know the challenges that my party has faced, and for us to be in that position is an indication that my leadership is connecting with the people of Scotland and giving us a commanding lead in the prospects for the election.”
The First Minister has convened a summit to counter what he has described as the “far right” – a group in which he includes parties like Reform UK.
Responding to the poll, Professor Nicola McEwen of Glasgow University said: “The rise of Reform across the UK has been one of the key features of polling in the last year.
“Until now, Scotland had seemed to buck the trend, but this poll puts Reform UK at its highest share of the vote in Scotland to date.
“The poll suggests Reform UK could be a real contender for constituency seats in those regions where it has most support, especially Central Scotland, Mid Scotland and Fife, and the West of Scotland.
“The party is also polling strongly in party list preferences … in the three regions where it is strongest, Reform UK now has around the same vote share as Labour.”
A spokesperson for the Alba Party said: “As we approach our fourth birthday as a political party, this is the first time that Survation have projected Alba gaining representation in the Scottish Parliament.
“They are now the third polling company forecasting a historic Alba breakthrough at next year’s election.
“This is good news for the independence movement and good news for Scotland.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “This poll shows Reform helping the SNP to win a pro-independence majority.
“Under Russell Findlay’s leadership we will continue to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters by holding the SNP Government to account and focusing on common sense conservative values.”
