Poll: SNP well ahead for Holyrood election with Labour behind Reform

Ipsos gave the Nationalists a 17 point lead over Reform UK in its constituency voting intention, with Labour trailing in third.

John Swinney’s party is up to 35 per cent on the constituency vote - up one per cent from the pollsters last survey in June.

Reform UK was on 18 per cent - up four points - with Labour dropping by seven points to 16 per cent.

The Conservatives were on 11 per cent, followed by the Lib Dems and the Greens on nine per cent.

The SNP led the list voting intention on 28 per cent - up two points from June. Labour was on 18 per cent (down four point), with the Greens and Reform on 17 per cent each.

The Greens were up two points while Reform was up one.

The Conservatives were on 12 per cent and the Lib Dems were on seven per cent.

SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: "This is an excellent poll which puts the SNP well ahead of the other parties while support for Labour nosedives, leaving them fighting it out with Nigel Farage for second place.

"This poll also shows support for independence in the majority - and it's no wonder given the total failure of this UK Labour government to deliver for Scots.

"Ahead of the election, the SNP has a clear plan to put Scotland's energy in Scotland's hands, and stand up for Scotland's right to decide on a fresh start with independence.

"That is the positive case the SNP will be taking to Scottish voters ahead of next May - and the early indicators are looking good."

The poll also said that the biggest issue for voters is the NHS on 57 per cent.

This is followed by inflation/the rising cost of living (41 per cent), immigration (30 per cent), the economy (25 per cent) and social care, including for older and disabled people (25 per cent).

Emily Gray, Managing Director of Ipsos in Scotland, said: “Five months out from the next Holyrood elections, these new results show the SNP out in front and holding onto their core voters more successfully than other parties – although with a lower share of the vote than the party achieved at the last Scottish Parliament elections.

“Reform UK’s vote share in Scotland has continued to improve in spite of Nigel Farage rather than because of him, with a rise in public dissatisfaction with his performance as leader.

“Meanwhile Scottish Labour are experiencing continued decline in their vote share, likely to relate to the UK Labour Government’s unpopularity.

“One dramatic shift in recent months has been the increased importance of immigration to Scotland’s voters.

“This issue looks set to feature in the Holyrood election campaigns, and with one in five saying Reform UK is the party they trust most on immigration, the party’s messaging on this issue is clearly resonating with a significant minority of Scots.