SNP facing its worst result since 2007, suggests poll

●Shock result could leave nationalists six seats short of a Holyrood majority

The SNP could be set for its worst result at the Scottish Parliament elections since it first came to power in 2007 under Alex Salmond, a new poll suggests. exclusive poll, conducted by Savanta Comres for The Scotsman, suggests ni cola sturgeon’ s party could be set for a shock result, leaving them well short of a majority. Such a result would see the pro-independence party returned to govern ment power with and 59 short MSPS of a after majority 14 years by six in seats. They would still retain an overall pro independence majority alongside the Scottish Greens if similar figures are returned after polling day on Thursday.

The survey also continues a general downward trend for the SNP in this series of polls, but indicates a lower level of support for the nationalist s compared with other surveys and is the

The SNP has called on young voters to "stand up and be counted" in Thursday's crucial Holyrood ballot.

SNP MP Mhairi Black, who was just 20 when she defeated Labour's shadow foreign secretarydouglasalexander,said young people could be key in determ ining the outcome of the Holyrood election.

The vote comes after a year which has been "particularly" tough for younger people because of the coronavirus pandemic.

And Ms Black, who has been an SNP MP since 2015, said the electiongivesthema"choiceof two futures".

With those aged 16 and over eligible to vote in Scottish elections, Ms Black said: "Young people across the country could be critical in helping to elect a First Minister who has led us through this pandemic every day and a government that has equality, compassion and fairness at the heart of its policies, instead of putting Scotland's future in Boris Johnson's hands.

"My message to young people is this - don't let other peopledecideyourfutureforyou.”