The SNP has surged to its highest ever poll lead according to a stunning new opinion survey.
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.”
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