Two new polls have delivered a damaging verdict on the SNP, finding that most Scots believe the party is out of touch, incompetent and untrustworthy, while the country is moving in the wrong direction under its leadership.
The findings emerged as the SNP opened its conference in Aberdeen, with research pointing to widespread frustration over the party’s record in government and growing public dissatisfaction across Scotland.
A More in Common poll recorded negative opinions of the SNP across every policy area tested. Voters expressed particular concern about the Scottish Government’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis, housing, the NHS and the wider economy.
The research also found that John Swinney’s ratings were negative, while a majority of Scots said they would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Separate YouGov polling produced a similarly bleak picture, with more than half of respondents describing the SNP as out of touch, untrustworthy, incompetent and focused on its own interests.
Luke Tryl, UK director at More in Common, said the SNP could still take some encouragement from the figures because it remained ahead in voting intentions and would win at both Holyrood and Westminster if an election were held immediately.
However, he said the party’s lead concealed deep public disillusionment. Referring to May’s Scottish Parliament election as the “meh” election, Mr Tryl said voters had wanted change but felt no political party was offering a convincing alternative. He added that three in five Scots continued to believe the country was getting worse, with most viewing the SNP as “more of the same”.
The More in Common survey found that 62 per cent of Scots thought conditions in the country were deteriorating. Just 8 per cent believed Scotland was getting better.
First Minister and Party Leader John Swinney on stage during the SNP Autumn Conference
The SNP received negative approval ratings on every policy issue included in the poll. Its weakest result concerned the cost of living: 63 per cent said the party was performing badly, while only 9 per cent gave it a positive rating, producing a net score of -54. Affordable housing stood at -39, followed by mental health at -38, jobs and the economy at -34, social care and support for older people at -31, and the NHS at -26.
On the constitutional question, 52 per cent said they would vote against independence in a referendum held tomorrow, compared with 48 per cent who would vote in favour. The survey also found strong support for fresh North Sea drilling at Rosebank and Jackdaw, backed by 62 per cent of respondents and opposed by 10 per cent. In addition, 61 per cent said energy independence should take priority over Net Zero.
Despite the poor assessments of its record in government, the SNP remained ahead of its rivals in both Holyrood and Westminster voting intentions.
For the Holyrood constituency vote, 36 per cent said they would support the SNP, a two-point fall since May. Labour stood at 21 per cent, up two points, followed by Reform UK on 15 per cent, down one; the Conservatives on 12 per cent; the Liberal Democrats on 10 per cent; and the Greens on 3 per cent, up one point.
On the regional list, the SNP was supported by 30 per cent, an increase of three points. Labour registered 20 per cent, up four, while Reform UK was on 17 per cent. The Conservatives stood at 13 per cent, the Liberal Democrats at 10 per cent and the Greens at 7 per cent, a seven-point decline.
The fall in Green support followed controversy over a motion declaring “Zionism is racism”, which was passed by the party in England and Wales and backed by Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens’ co-leader.
Mr Greer was also rated the least popular Holyrood leader, recording a net score of -19. That placed him narrowly below Reform UK’s Malcolm Offord, who also had a score of -19.
Andy Burnham was the only political leader to receive a positive rating, with a score of +4. Mr Swinney recorded a net rating of -4.
The YouGov survey found that 53 per cent of Scots considered the SNP out of touch, compared with 22 per cent who viewed it as in touch. A total of 51 per cent described the party as untrustworthy, against 25 per cent who considered it trustworthy. Half of respondents rated the SNP as incompetent, while 31 per cent regarded it as competent. Meanwhile, 52 per cent believed the party was acting in its own interests, compared with 32 per cent who thought it was trying to do the right thing.
Only 27 per cent approved of the Scottish Government’s performance so far, according to YouGov, while 57 per cent said they disapproved.
Independence ranked behind the economy, health, immigration, housing, education and crime among the issues voters considered most important. Just 17 per cent identified it as a major concern facing Scotland.
If there was another referendum, the YouGov survey found 53 per cent would vote No and 47 per cent Yes.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: ‘The people of Scotland have been badly let down by the SNP during their 19 years in power at Holyrood.
‘We need ministers to focus on addressing the issues that matter most to the public, such as our NHS, education system, and housing.
‘Labour has been clear that we will work constructively with the SNP on these issues where we can do so, as it is in all our interests’ to improve people’s lives.’
A Survation survey for the Scotland in Union campaign group also found only 11 per cent of Scots think another independence referendum should be prioritised.
Even among those who voted for the SNP in the constituency ballot in May’s election, only 29 per cent said another referendum should be among the top three priorities for the government.
Alastair Cameron, chairman of Scotland in Union, said: ‘This is a devastating poll for the SNP, exposing how the party is at odds with the priorities of the people of Scotland.’
In his opening address to the SNP conference on Thursday, Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn said: ‘We are winning the argument, we can see that by reading the newspapers or listening to the panic of unionist politicians.’
He also claimed that Mr Swinney would lead Scotland to independence.
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan also told the conference: ‘We have crafted a nation of which we can be proud.
‘Are there challenges? Of course there are. There always were and there always will be.
‘But Scotland is on a positive path. The path of progress.’
