A new YouGov poll has found that half of Scots consider the SNP incompetent, with a majority branding the party “out of touch” and “untrustworthy”. The survey also shows First Minister John Swinney’s personal approval rating has fallen again, with 53 per cent of people now holding an unfavourable view of him, compared to only 34 per cent with a favourable opinion.
Poll findings on party image
The polling was published on the first day of the SNP conference in Aberdeen, where senior Nationalists have claimed they will soon launch the biggest push for independence since 2014. However, the YouGov survey reveals growing disillusionment with the party: 53 per cent branded it “out of touch” while 46 per cent said it was “weak”.
In contrast, less than a third of respondents viewed the party as “competent”, while only a quarter described it as “trustworthy”. Fewer than a quarter said the party was “in touch” with people.
Leader ratings and wider discontent
The only party leader in Scotland to have a positive approval rating is Andy Burnham, with 47 per cent of those questioned favourable towards him, while 38 per cent view him unfavourably.
A separate poll by More in Common found further disillusionment among Scottish voters, with 62 per cent believing things are getting worse and 26 per cent thinking they are staying the same. This is matched by poor approval ratings for the Scottish government in handling every major issue facing Scotland, particularly the cost of living.
Political analysis and response
Luke Tryl of pollsters 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’.”
Tryl added: “Nor is the Burnham bounce reshaping Scottish politics the way it has south of the border. Labour’s gains in Scotland are around half the size of its boost across Britain. And while Burnham is more popular in Scotland than John Swinney, almost half of Scots feel he doesn’t respect the people of Scotland.”
“For now, the SNP are winning because their opponents are divided, not because their own voters are enthused. The challenge for this conference is to demonstrate they have a clear vision for Scotland, and see if they can get that spark back.”
Jenny Gilruth, the Deputy First Minister, rejected assertions that the party's latest campaign was simply to energise the party's base. “I think we’ve got plenty to say to members,” she said. “Members will be hearing from the First Minister, from myself and a range of other ministers and delegates around about these issues.”
“We really do come off the back of a very strong election result for the SNP and I think it is important not to forget that – that was only in May. Support for independence, support for the SNP remains strong and, of course, we will use that strength to build the case for independence and the launch of the campaign at conference is really part of that message.”
