By Bob Duncan
Published on the final day of the SNP annual conference in Perth, a new Panelbase poll has revealed that support for the SNP is even higher today than its support in the 2011 election landslide.
The survey of almost a thousand adults in Scotland puts support for the SNP at 45% in both the constituency and regional votes – which is the same in the constituency vote as in last year’s election landslide, and is a point up in the regional vote.
Compared with the same Poll taken in April 2011, just before the SNP’s historic victory, the SNP vote has risen 8% (constituency and list) and the Labour vote has dropped 4% (constituency) and 2% (list). The Tories are static and Lib Dem support is down by 2% and 3% respectively.
These figures follow a separate poll published in yesterday’s Sunday Times which shows that the gap between support for and against independence has been reduced to just eight points. With two years still to go before the 2014 referendum, these two polls will give encouragement the YES campaign, the SNP and the Scottish government.
SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay MSP said:
“The momentum remains well and truly with the SNP as we continue to show competence in Government, fulfilling our social contract with the people of Scotland in the face of Westminster cuts. The SNP’s overall support in this poll is actually up on our 2011 election victory.
“The core message from our conference is that there is now a real threat to the achievements of home rule through the austerity agenda of all of the anti-independence parties, and only a vote for an independent Scotland can protect Scotland’s progress.
“The challenge now is to maintain this momentum and win the argument for independence, because when we win the argument, we will win the referendum.”
The polls follow a YouGov survey carried out on behalf of the SNP which showed a majority in favour of the Scottish parliament acquiring extra powers to enable the removal of Trident from the Clyde and almost two thirds who believed that Holyrood was better placed to make decisions for Scotland.