“If she ploughs on regardless, as she did against the advice of lawyers in the doomed Alex Salmond judicial review case, the First Minister will leave the country scarred by the most bitter divisions. Support for separation was the same as when the pollster conducted its previous survey in February, with 52 per cent support and 48 per cent opposition. NICOLA Sturgeon is more popular in England than Boris Johnson, polling has been revealed. She also agreed the fallout from the Scottish government’s botched handling of sexual harassment complaints against Salmond was likely to have discouraged other women from coming forward. ", She added: "The Alba Party’s main impact to date may have been to remind pro-independence voters of how to use their regional vote tactically.”, Independence is set to dominate the campaigns - and is even more important to voters now than it was back in February. Nicola Sturgeon's SNP continue to poll strongly Why you can trust Sky News Nicola Sturgeon is on course to command an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament after the latest Sky News poll showed her party's ratings up sharply in the last month. But Johnson is said to be adamant in private that he will not be the prime minister who permits a referendum and the Conservatives will hammer home the message that holding such a poll during a pandemic would be deeply irresponsible. Scottish first minister tells Guardian fresh poll impossible to resist should her party land majority next month, Last modified on Mon 12 Apr 2021 04.37 BST. scotsman.com - Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are on course for an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, a new poll has suggested. In an interview with the Guardian, Scotland’s first minister said: “If people in Scotland vote for a party saying, ‘when the time is right, there should be an independence referendum’, you cannot stand in the way of that – and I don’t think that is what will happen.”. As #ResignSturgeon trends across social media, it has become clear that Nicola Sturgeon and her government are utterly incapable of working for the best interests of the Scottish people and Scotland.. Day after day, we hear of more lurid scandals emerging from Holyrood. Nicola Sturgeon was the most well-liked, with 50% of adults saying they have a favourable view of her, compared to 10% who have a favourable view of Salmond. ", Mr Salmond said all the three polls so far have shown "identifiable support" for the Alba Party and as "name recognition gets across we will gain further ground. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. She is the first woman to hold either position. Nicola Sturgeon is the most popular other UK public figure and the 2nd most famous. The first minister is also a remarkably popular figure in Scotland, boasting high approval ratings that have soared due to Scots’ perception of how she has handled the coronavirus pandemic compared to Boris … Sturgeon said that probably none of the resulting inquiries had got to the bottom of the “culture of complicity” around Salmond’s alleged inappropriate behaviour described by the original complainers in evidence to the Holyrood committee. The Lib Dems would get four seats, down one on the 2016 election. This was followed by education (28 per cent), the NHS (27 per cent), the economy (16 per cent) and Covid (15 per cent). Sexual harassment claims dating back almost a decade were weaponized by Sturgeon’s administration … He pointed out that recent polls have shown a drop in Scots supporting independence in a warning to Nicola Sturgeon. Nicola Sturgeon is on course to win a super-slim majority in the Holyrood elections – leaving plans for a second independence referendum on a … The SNP is set to miss out on a majority in the Scottish parliament by a single seat, according to the last Holyrood election poll. Please review our, You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Ms Sturgeon has said she wants to stage another separation vote by the end of 2023, after world leaders have stopped announcing mass Covid deaths … A seat projection put the SNP on 70, but the Tories losing seven seats with 24 and Labour down five seats to 19. Nicola Sturgeon: No 10 cannot stand in the way of independence. during Scotland's recovery from the pandemic. Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "Great polling for theSNP - but it’s votes in ballot boxes that count. While 62 per cent said they were satisfied with Ms Sturgeon's performance as First Minister, only nine per cent expressed approval of Mr Salmond and 27 per cent of Boris Johnson. Nicola Sturgeon is on course to win an 11-seat majority at May’s Holyrood election, according to the latest poll. “Nicola Sturgeon still has to appear the committee and the report has to come out. “We have the ministerial inquiry findings that will be published at some point soon as well and recently a poll showed that growing numbers of people in Scotland, don’t feel that the SNP are united. The Savanta ComRes survey puts Nicola Sturgeon’s party on … The new poll gave the SNP 53 per cent on the constituency vote, the Tories 20 per cent, Labour 18 per cent and the Liberal Democrats six per cent. On the regional list, the SNP's support had declined nine points to 38 per cent, with the Tories on 21 per cent, Labour 18 per cent, the Greens 12 per cent, the Lib Dems six per cent and Alba three per cent. Scotland’s fifth leader—and first woman leader—since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and government in 1999, she led the movement for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. And she committed to the SNP reflecting on its complaints processes and procedures in the light of the inquiries. Alba's aim is to be part of that process.”, Lorna Slater, the Scottish Greens' co-leader, said: "This poll tells us that the Scottish Greens are set to have a record number of MSPs in Holyrood and could yet play a crucial role in securing a pro-independence majority in May.". The UK government has quietly dropped the use of “once-in-a-generation” language around the referendum due to fears it may give Scottish voters who are still undecided about independence – but keen on Sturgeon’s other policies – a licence to vote for the SNP if they believe there is no chance a referendum will be granted. The figure was a stark contrast to Boris Johnson, with only 14% of those surveyed saying … NICOLA Sturgeon's chances of re-election at the Scottish Parliamentary elections may be damaged because of the Alex Salmond inquiry which will damage the SNP's credibility and support. Find out more, Nicola Sturgeon with Alex Salmond on the 2015 general election trail, Alex Salmond's new Alba Party is projected not to win a seat, Covid lockdown roadmap: key dates for when restrictions will end and what rules will change on May 17, SNP's plan to stage Scottish independence referendum by 2023 described as 'utterly preposterous', Scottish Tories propose reopening of decades-old train lines to boost economy, SNP accused of trying to ‘deceive’ Scots into independence with manifesto giveaways, Pro-UK parties could stop an independence majority at Holyrood, claims Lib Dem leader, Labour accused of refusing to rule out second Scottish independence referendum. Explore fans of Nicola Sturgeon and the popularity of other other UK public figures with YouGov Ratings. Those polls also suggest support for Scottish independence is about 50%. ", He added: "The opportunity is there to build the super-majority for independence at Holyrood. But if Sturgeon is forced to resign, SNP officials admit a succession battle could spell disaster for their election hopes. Sturgeon said she believed her predecessor’s talk of demonstrations and unauthorised plebiscites could put off undecided voters who had become more open-minded about independence since Brexit. The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Nicola Sturgeon re-election at risk as new poll indicates a drop in SNP popularity NICOLA Sturgeon's chances of re-election at the Scottish Parliamentary elections may be damaged because of … The poll was the third to feature Mr Salmond's Alba Party, with two giving it three per cent support and no seats and one six per cent backing and six seats. A series of polls have found majority of Scots support staying in United Kingdom Major setback for Nicola Sturgeon as she pushes for a re-run of … The Opinium poll, conducted from January 6-7, showed that 57% of Scots either strongly or somewhat approve of Sturgeon’s leadership. Ipsos MORI conducted telephone interviews between March 29 and April 4. All Data The poll also showed that the issue of independence was the most important when voters decided which party to support (49 per cent). Downing Street insiders suggested there may be tactical attempts to keep the inevitability of a referendum in play, but that the prime minister was staunchly against such a move. NICOLA Sturgeon has apologised for her fist-pumping celebration as Jo Swinson lost her seat to the SNP by 149 voters. “The committee verdict is in – Nicola Sturgeon misled Parliament and the public. Nicola Sturgeon’s party is on course to win a majority next month, according to two polls. Last week, polling by Ipsos Mori for STV News and Opinium for Sky News put the SNP on course to win a majority and a historic fourth term. But Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos Mori, said the independence 'super-majority' " may come from an uplift in support for the Scottish Greens on the regional vote rather than for the Alba Party. Nicola Sturgeon is on course to win an independence "super-majority" in next month's Holyrood election without Alex Salmond's new party getting a seat, according to a poll that delivered a boost to her campaign to break up Britain. Asked whether she believed the alternative to continued Westminster refusal, of putting a referendum bill through the Scottish parliament, would be necessary, Sturgeon said: “I’m pretty confident that it won’t be. The party leader quit on Friday morning after being savaged for … Just 18% of Scots had a favourable view of Douglas Ross (below) while 24% had a favourable view of Boris Johnson. Almost two-thirds of voters (64 per cent) said they were dissatisfied with both men. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday ramped up her calls for a new Scottish independence referendum, declining to rule out another vote … The SNP won 59 out of 73 constituencies in the 2016 election but only four on the regional list, which assigns seats to parties using a complicated form of proportional representation that deducts constituency wins. Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon (born 19 July 1970) is a Scottish politician serving as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2014. The Ipsos Mori poll for STV News predicted the SNP will return 70 of the 129 MSPs, giving Ms Sturgeon a majority of 11, while the pro-separation Scottish Greens would return a record 11 MSPs. More than half of Scottish voters think favourably of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and twice as many people believe she is “trustworthy” compared to Ruth Davidson, polling has unveiled. Ms Sturgeon has said she wants to stage another separation vote by the end of 2023, after world leaders have stopped announcing mass Covid deaths on a daily basis but during Scotland's recovery from the pandemic. 33% disapprove of the First Minister’s leadership to some extent, while 9% have no opinion. Nicola Sturgeon: No 10 cannot stand in the way of independence Exclusive: first minister seeks mandate for second poll in face of Covid and Alex … Mr Salmond has said he wants to manipulate Holyrood's complicated electoral system to deliver a "super-majority" for independence, with nationalists voting SNP in their constituencies and for his party on the regional list. to deliver a "super-majority" for independence. A Panelbase poll for the Sunday Times found that if the SNP were to win a majority, Scottish voters would be evenly split over whether there should be a referendum, with 44% in favour and the same proportion against. Nicola Sturgeon has promised to provide a "transformational" increase in NHS funding if the SNP wins the election. The Conservatives and Labour languish far behind in the Scottish polls. Boris Johnson will not oppose a second independence referendum if the Scottish National party wins a majority in the election next month, Nicola Sturgeon has said, with some UK government ministers reportedly conceding it is an inevitability. Sturgeon said she would continue to give “the honest answer” about her concerns regarding Salmond’s suitability to return to public office following accusations of sexual harassment, which he has vehemently denied. A wider civil war also rages, including the sensational split between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her one-time friend and mentor Alex Salmond. I would have Nicola Sturgeon… These figures mean the … A simple majority of pro-independence MSPs would provide a sufficient mandate, she maintained. Nicola Sturgeon could miss out on a majority in the Scottish Parliament by one seat thanks to Alex Salmond, according to a new opinion poll.. … The results, published today, show a majority of UK citizens - 44% - believe Nicola Sturgeon’s government in Scotland had handed the COVID-19 crisis well. Nicola Sturgeon's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is pushing voters to back the SNP, a new poll has shown. “In my opinion, are there questions about the appropriateness of the return to public office of somebody who was accused of serious inappropriate behaviour towards women – who was acquitted of any criminality and I will never question that – who in the course of a criminal trial seemed to suggest that he had behaved in ways that were not always appropriate, admitted something to me that I believe was deeply inappropriate, and has never really reckoned with that, has never reflected and been prepared to say: ‘I regret that and wouldn’t do that again in the future.’”. Nicola Sturgeon: No 10 cannot stand in the way of independence Nicola Sturgeon’s party is on course to win a majority next month, according to two polls… News Politics Nicola Sturgeon to fall short of majority as Alex Salmond's Alba Party deprives SNP of key list seats, poll shows The SNP is set to narrowly miss out on a … Mr Bowie said: “I think their minds could be changed. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. “If you’re somebody that voted no in 2014 and that, because of Brexit or other things, are now open-minded to independence – and I know an awful lot of these people – and you hear somebody say they think they can bulldoze their way to independence in spite of public opinion, I would think: ‘Maybe I don’t want to engage in this any more,’” she said. How the Scottish Parliament might shape up if the new @STVNews / @IpsosMORIScot poll is replicated at the ballot boxes on May 6: https://t.co/ABLhQZ5yvL pic.twitter.com/L0auU6WGpK. New polling from Opinium found … express.co.uk - NICOLA STURGEON has received a lot of criticism for wanting to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence but polls are beginning to … Nicola Sturgeon's independence dreams shattered as 'polls drop' ahead of election - Flipboard But you know, people will always challenge that because of what the supposed position of the UK government is.”, She said she believed discussion within the UK government had “moved away from ‘we can stop a referendum’ to ‘when would it happen, and on what basis would it happen?’”. Support for independence and Nicola Sturgeon 's leadership have plummeted in Scotland in the wake of the SNP civil war over Alex Salmond, a new poll … Reports in the Sunday Times suggested that, while the UK government’s position remained that it was opposed to granting Holyrood the requisite powers to hold a legal referendum, senior Tories believe this would be hard to sustain should the SNP triumph on 6 May, and that Johnson would be better off forcing a vote during the economic upheaval likely to follow the pandemic to underline the risks of Scotland leaving the UK. For more polling data from across Europe visit POLITICO Poll of Polls. For experienced Covid leadership, strong policies to drive recovery, and the choice of independence when the crisis has passed. The SNP remain out on front, with … 62% of Conservative supporters mention independence as a top issue (3/7) pic.twitter.com/uQdTVtR2oI. Sturgeon also raised concerns about the tactics of Alba, the new party that Alex Salmond claims can help secure a “supermajority” for independence, a term she dismissed as “daft rhetoric”. Although Mr Salmond's Alba Party would fail to win a seat, the Holyrood chamber would still contain a large majority of pro-separation MSPs, increasing pressure on Boris Johnson to drop his opposition to another separation referendum. Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party and first minister of Scotland. A YouGov survey found that Scotland's First Minister …