A NEW poll has shown that John Swinney is the most popular political party leader in Scotland – despite a negative net rating – and given insight into Scots’ views on independence.
The YouGov survey, published on Thursday morning, showed that 34% of Scots have a positive view of the First Minister, against 48% who have a negative view. The net score of -14, while low, was the highest of all Scottish and UK party leaders.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had a net favourability rating of -36, while Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar scored -29. UK Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had a rating of -44, while her Scottish group leader Russell Findlay scored -21. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage scored -54.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon is the second most popular politician in Scotland, with a rating of -16.
Scottish independence and a second referendum
Elsewhere, the poll projected that Scots would vote by 54% to 46% to remain in the Union if a second referendum were held tomorrow.
YouGov, who surveyed 1043 people aged 16 or older in Scotland between March 17 and 21, noted that support for independence was much stronger among younger age groups.
The pollster noted: “Whilst older Scots are especially against independence, with 67% of over 65s stating they would vote No, most of the youngest generation (59% of 16-24 year olds) hold the opposing view and would vote Yes to a referendum if it was held tomorrow.”
On the timing of a second referendum, YouGov found that Scots generally supported being asked the question within the next decade.
It said: “Whilst a significant proportion (72%) think that there should not be a referendum within the next year, this margin narrows when asked about the next five years, with 51% saying there should not but 38% thinking there should.
“Only when asked about the next decade do we see Scots lean towards having another referendum (46% should vs 38% should not).”
Elsewhere, the poll found that Scots were generally more confident in the SNP’s decision-making than they were Labour’s.
“With Labour now in charge in Westminster, they will be hoping Scots will also hand them the reins of power in the Holyrood as well,” YouGov said. “However, our data shows that Scots are more likely to think that the SNP would make the right decisions for Scotland.
“In fact, in all areas we tested, are more likely to have Scots confidence in the SNP to make the right decision for Scotland.”
Among Scots, 55% said health should be the SNP Government’s top priority, while 54% said it should be the economy. Education was third on 31%, while independence was tied with welfare on 14%.
