Damning polls reveal what Scots REALLY think of the SNP after 19 years in power

The SNP is out of touch, incompetent and untrustworthy with the majority of Scots of the opinion things are getting worse under the party, two damning polls have revealed. As the SNP’s conference got underway in Aberdeen , new research showed ‘widespread discontent’ with the way it has performed in government in Scotland. A More in Common survey showed negative ratings for the SNP across every individual policy area, with major concerns about Scottish Government performance over the cost-of-living crisis, housing, the NHS and the economy. It also showed negative polling ratings for John Swinney and a majority of Scots being in favour of remaining in the UK. Separate YouGov research also showed that more than half of Scots respondents thought that the SNP was out of touch, untrustworthy, incompetent and serving their own interests. Luke Tryl, UK Director at More in Common, said: ‘In some ways, the SNP have reason to feel cheerful heading into their conference. They remain ahead in our new polling, and if elections were held tomorrow, at Holyrood or Westminster, they would come out on top. ‘But that lead masks widespread discontent. We called May’s Scottish Parliament election the “meh” election: voters wanted change, felt no party was offering it, and were deeply disillusioned. The SNP has not shaken off that “meh”. Three in five Scots still think things are getting worse, and most see the SNP as “more of the same”.’ The More in Common survey shows that 62 per cent of Scots think the country is getting worse, compared to only 8 per cent who think it is getting better. First Minister and Party Leader John Swinney on stage during the SNP Autumn Conference It also showed negative approval ratings for the SNP in every policy area. Its worst performance was on the cost of living, where 63 per cent thought it was performing badly and only 9 per cent thought it was doing well, giving an approval rating of -54. This was followed by a rating of -39 for affordable housing, -38 for mental health, -34 for jobs and the economy, -31 for social care and the elderly, and -26 for the NHS. The poll also showed that 52 per cent of Scots would vote no if there was an independence referendum tomorrow, compared to 48 per cent who would support yes, while 62 per cent of Scots back new North Sea drilling at Rosebank and Jackdaw, compared to 10 per cent who are opposed, while 61 per cent back prioritise energy independence over Net Zero. Despite the negative ratings for policy performance, the poll put the SNP ahead on both the Holyrood and Westminster voting intentions. On the Holyrood constituency vote, 36 per cent would back the SNP, which was down two percentage points on May, while 21 per cent would vote Labour (+2), 15 per cent Reform UK (-1), 12 per cent Conservative (+0), 10 per cent Liberal Democrat and three per cent Greens (+1). On the regional list, the SNP is on 30 per cent (+3), Labour 20 per cent (+4), Reform 17 per cent (+0), Conservatives 13 per cent (+1), Lib Dem 10 per cent (+1) and the Greens seven per cent (-7). The decline in support for the Greens comes following the row over a controversial ‘Zionism is racism’ motion passed by the party in England and Wales, which secured the support of Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer. The polling also showed that Mr Greer is the most unpopular Holyrood leader, with a net score of -19, which was narrowly worse than Reform UK’s Malcolm Offord on -19. Prime Minister Andy Burnham was the only political leader with a positive score, at +4, while Mr Swinney was on -4. The separate YouGov research found that 53 per cent of respondents thought the SNP out of touch, compared to only 22 per cent who said they are in touch, while 51 per cent said they were untrustworthy and only 25 per cent trustworthy, while 50 per cent said they are incompetent compared to 31 per cent who view them as competent, and 52 per cent said they are serving their own interests compared to 32 per cent who believe they are trying to do the right thing. It also found that only 27 per cent of Scots approve of the Scottish Government’s record to date, while 57 per cent disapprove. Independence was listed below the economy, health, immigration, housing, education and crime on a list of the most important issues, with only 17 per cent believing it is an important issue 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.’