Scottish National Party Faces Widespread Discontent Amidst Damning Polls
Two recent surveys indicate a majority of Scots believe the SNP is out of touch, incompetent, and that the country is deteriorating under its 19-year leadership.
New polling reveals significant public dissatisfaction with the Scottish National Party (SNP), with a majority of Scots viewing the party as out of touch, incompetent, and untrustworthy. These findings emerge as the SNP's autumn conference convenes in Aberdeen.
A survey conducted by More in Common indicates negative ratings for the SNP across all policy areas, including major concerns regarding the cost-of-living crisis, housing, the National Health Service (NHS), and the economy. The poll also showed negative approval ratings for First Minister John Swinney and a majority of Scots favoring remaining in the United Kingdom.
According to the More in Common research, 62% of Scots believe the country is worsening, while only 8% feel it is improving. The survey highlighted particularly poor performance in the cost of living, with a 63% disapproval rating and only 9% approval. Other areas with significant disapproval include affordable housing (-39), mental health (-38), jobs and the economy (-34), social care and the elderly (-31), and the NHS (-26).
In terms of political alignment, 52% of Scots indicated they would vote against independence in a referendum, compared to 48% who would support it. The poll also found a majority in favor of new North Sea drilling for energy independence over Net Zero targets. Despite these negative performance indicators, the SNP still leads in hypothetical Holyrood and Westminster elections.
At Holyrood, the SNP garners 36% of the constituency vote, a slight decrease. Labour follows with 21%, and Reform UK with 15%. On the regional list, the SNP holds 30%, with Labour at 20% and Reform UK at 17%.
The Scottish Greens are also experiencing a decline in support, with 7% on the regional list, a decrease attributed partly to a controversial motion passed by the party in England and Wales. Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer emerged as the most unpopular Holyrood leader with a net score of -19.
Separate YouGov research corroborated these findings, with 53% of respondents believing the SNP is out of touch, and 51% deeming them untrustworthy. Furthermore, 50% consider the party incompetent, and 52% believe they serve their own interests.
Only 27% of Scots approve of the Scottish Government's record, while 57% disapprove. Independence was ranked as a lower priority issue compared to the economy, health, immigration, housing, education, and crime, with only 17% considering it important.
In a separate survey for the Scotland in Union campaign group, only 11% of Scots believe another independence referendum should be prioritized. Even among SNP voters from the last election, only 29% listed a referendum as a top three government priority.
Despite the critical polling data, SNP representatives at the party conference expressed optimism. Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn stated that the party is "winning the argument," and SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan asserted that "Scotland is on a positive path."