Support for SNP rises to 54%, according to new poll

Support for the SNP has risen to 54 per cent, leaving the party poised to take 57 of Scotland's 59 seats, according to a new poll from TNS Scotland. 

The poll put the SNP on 54 per cent, Labour on 22 per cent, the Conservatives on 13 per cent, the Lib Dems on six per cent, and the Greens and UKIP tied on two per cent.

TNS Scotland found that, among those certain to vote, 29 per cent said they were still undecided. It found that 67 per cent said they are certain to vote, against 62 in the rest of the UK. Meanwhile 82 per cent of SNP supporters said they were certain to vote.

The poll also found that 42 per cent of people said that Nicola Sturgeon would get the best deal for Scotland, with Jim Murphy on eight per cent, David Cameron on seven, Alex Salmond on six per cent and Ed Miliband on three per cent.

Electoral calculus by Scotland Votes shows that, if reflected in the general election, 54 per cent support for the SNP would see the party win 57 out of Scotland’s 59 seats.

The TNS poll was based on a sample of 1003 adults across Scotland, interviewed over the period 1st -19th April 2015.

Commenting, Tom Costley, Head of TNS Scotland said: “Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP appear to be going from strength to strength.

“With more people saying they are definitely going to vote than is the case elsewhere in Britain, it suggests that the Scots are more engaged following the independence referendum. It remains to be seen what impact the 29% who claim to be undecided as to which way to vote will have on the total number of Westminster seats gained by the SNP.”

And see Mandy Rhodes on Westminster's reaction to rising support for the SNP.