Blow for SNP as poll says party will lose 10 MPs
SUPPORT for the Union has hit nearly 60 per cent, according to a poll that predicts the SNP could lose ten seats tomorrow.
A YouGov survey yesterday revealed that the Nationalists are set to win 46 seats in the General Election – ten fewer than they won in 2015.
It also shows that support for staying within the UK has hit 57 per cent, with only 43 per cent of respondents saying they would back a Yes vote in another independence referendum.
This means support for the Union is two percentage points higher than in the 2014 poll, when 55 per cent of Scots voted to keep Scotland in the UK.
In March, Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to hold a second referendum – despite previous SNP promises the vote two years ago would be a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity.
Since then, her approval ratings have plummeted as audiences at a number of live TV appearances have criticised her for trying to drag Scotland back to the voting booths.
The latest YouGov poll of 1,093 people was conducted between June 1 and 5 alongside a UKwide survey.
It predicts the SNP will suffer losses to all three pro-Union parties – with the Tories set to see the most gains in Scotland.
The Conservatives are tipped to get 26 per cent of the vote north of the Border, which would result in picking up six seats to have seven MPs in Scotland.
The Scotland Votes seat indicator by Weber Shandwick has predicted the Tories will oust senior Nationalists including deputy leader Angus Robertson in Moray and Pete Wishart in Perth and North Perthshire.
As well as retaining the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency – where Scottish Secretary David Mundell is standing – it is also predicted the Tories will win the two bordering seats and a number in the North East.
Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: ‘Once again this poll shows that the Scottish Conservatives are best placed to take the fight to the SNP at this election.’
The survey also revealed a late surge for Labour in Scotland – predicting it will get 25 per cent of the vote. But according to the seat indicator this would yield only three seats, with Ian Murray retaining his Edinburgh South seat, while the party would pick up Edinburgh North and Leith, and East Renfrewshire.
The Lib Dems are forecast to win three seats, with former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael retaining Orkney and Shetland, while Jo Swinson would win in East Dunbartonshire and Christine Jardine would take Edinburgh West.
Scottish Labour General Election campaign manager James Kelly said: ‘This is yet another encouraging poll which shows increasing numbers of Scots know the only way to defeat the SNP in the majority of seats in Scotland is to vote Labour.’
Mr Robertson said the poll findings indicate the SNP is in a ‘strong position’.
He added: ‘But we take absolutely nothing for granted and will keep working hard on the doorsteps to make the case that only SNP MPs will stand up for Scotland.’
‘Take the fight to the SNP’