New poll shows unprecedented support for SNP
The SNP has surged to its highest ever poll lead according to a stunning new opinion survey.
Support for his party is surging, but First Minister Alex Salmond's personal approval ratings have fallen by 13%.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 03.02.12
- Published online : 03.02.12 @ 09.52am
The report from the respected Ipsos MORI organisation says almost half of all Scots (49%) are ready to back the SNP in elections as Labour slumps to just 23% — down three points since a similar survey in December.
If Labour was facing a Holyrood election on those figures, it would leave the party with just one constituency.
However, the survey also showed a dip in support for Alex Salmond personally. He is still by far the most popular political leader in Scotland, but his personal ratings have shifted as the referendum debate hots up.
According to the poll, overall satisfaction with the First Minister has fallen by 13% since December.
Currently 58% of Scots are satisfied with the way he is doing his job, with 36% dissatisfied. That gives him an overall approval rating of 22%, compared to 35% in December.
His opposition rivals are failing to make any impact on Scottish politics.
Willie Rennie of the Lib Dems and Ruth Davidson of the Scottish Tories are so unrecognised that 44% of voters can't comment on their performance.
For Johann Lamont of Labour, the picture is a little better with 40% unable to comment.
Mark Diffley of Ipsos MORI said: ''The growing public criticism of Alex Salmond's performance comes entirely from supporters of opposition parties and may reflect wider opinions about the referendum debate.
''Despite this the SNP maintains a healthy lead in the poll, leading Labour by 26 points.''
Conservative support is now at 13% while Liberal Democrat support has increased by two points and now stands at 10%.
For the three opposition parties the main issue continues to be one of public recognition.
Reacting to the poll, SNP campaign director Angus Robertson said: ''These figures would see the SNP win 73 seats in the Scottish Parliament, while the other parties would be reduced to a rump.
''It is abundantly clear that Scots voters believe that the actions of the SNP Scottish government are the right ones. In contrast, the unrelenting negativity of the Labour Party sees them fall to their lowest ever poll rating, which would reduce them to a single, solitary constituency in the Scottish Parliament.''
Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Wire
10.25am - 03.02.2012 speugie - Dundee, Great Britain Report This
If we become Indy, we will need a new National Anthem. May I suggest Genesis' "Land of Confusion." It goes "Ooh Superman where are you now, When everything's gone wrong somehow, The men of steel the men of power,are losing control by the hour--I think it will be most appropriate.
10.35am - 03.02.2012 Olly - Dundee, city of, Scotland Report This
Funny how the SNP troll out claims of negativity at every turn. This includes their failed manifesto promises, yes the ones before the global crisis. Mind you, it does save them having to provide answers to this failure to deliver.
11.49am - 03.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
"Mark Diffley of Ipsos MORI said: ''The growing public criticism of Alex Salmond's performance comes entirely from supporters of opposition parties " That would include the first 2 comments on this thread then :) No lessons learned there since last May. Political oblivion beckons for Labour.
12.27pm - 03.02.2012 Olly - Dundee, city of, Scotland Report This
Same old, same old, from Stuart but an answer is better than no answer I suppose. At tea break this morning several of us wondered how long the "SNP claims of negativity" and lack of detail could go on for? Left to Stuart, it looks like forever. But surely not all the way til 2014??? ;))
01.09pm - 03.02.2012 mark - dundee, scotland Report This
salmond will never give a staight answer about any of the issues - when faced with difficult questions or criticism all he does is attack, mock and be sarcastic - is this who we want running a country? hes worse than a petulant child.
02.33pm - 03.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Wow! I made no claims of negativety yet was accused of it anyway. Talk about reflex reactions from unionists :) Considering many of my posts have been "detailed" (given 300 char limit), I'm more concerned about hearing detail from unionists backing up their rhetoric without them resorting to abuse.
09.20pm - 03.02.2012 Ken - The Ferry, Broughty Ferry Dundee Scotland UK Report This
Stuart, do yourself and invest in a dictionary. Look up the word 'detailed'. You and Alex Salmond are as open on detail as a room full of kittens on a rocking chair. And no, that wasn't a compliment. I am naive enough to think that we the people deserve better, much better, than this.
03.37am - 04.02.2012 Kenneth Graham - Pembury Royal Tunbridge Wells, England UK Report This
I listened to Alex Salmond talk in London, the after reflect from the English was that the once secure South East of England is no more, many are frightened of loosing their jobs,homes and families. Every day another business is lost. The English are saying the SNP are doing Scotland proud.
12.57pm - 04.02.2012 The Justice - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Got to love the salmond haters. Well can you think of somebody better ? Who the hell can promise anything in this joke of a union? We don't even control our countries revenue - it all ends in the English treasury. Cut him some slack. Still having Free Education is a miracle, and thats due to him.
10.53pm - 04.02.2012 Tim - Edinburgh, Scotland UK Report This
Are we just to ignore so-called 'negative' news which continue to show the SNP's proposals for independence comletely bogus and unworkable? Any thoughts on the NIESR report that says a seperate Scotland would be laden with debt?
Add a comment