The SNP is set to secure another significant majority in today’s Holyrood election, according to new polling that suggests Labour will struggle to hold on to second place.
A poll for The Times indicates that Nicola Sturgeon’s party is poised to win 69 seats, the same number as Alex Salmond secured in 2011.
The battle to be the official opposition remains tight between Labour and the Conservatives, according to a poll by YouGov, which suggests that Ruth Davidson’s party could return 24 MSPs, compared with Kezia Dugdale’s 21.
The result would be a devastating blow to Jeremy Corbyn and a humiliation for his party, which was once dominant at each level of government in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservative leader has run a presidential-style campaign and positioned herself as the champion of the Union.
Advertisement
The poll suggests that this is working with voters, who have given Ms Davidson an approval rating of plus eight. While this falls well short of Ms Sturgeon’s plus-26 point rating, it trounces Ms Dugdale’s minus 18.
While the SNP leader looks certain to claim victory, the polling contains a warning that voters expect her to focus on governing the country, rather than pushing for a referendum. Making the case for independence was tenth in a list of 11 priorities for voters. Health, the economy, jobs and education came top.