SUPPORT for the SNP remains very high ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, the latest Holyrood voting intentions poll has found.
Ipsos MORI reports that while support for Scottish independence has fallen four points since November, some 52% of people still say they will vote for the SNP in the constituency vote.
That is down three points on November. The Scottish Tories are up one percentage point at 23%, Scottish Labour are up one point at 15% and the LibDems are down one point at 5%.
The Scottish Greens are up two points at 3%.
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There is little change in the regional vote, with the SNP at 47% - unchanged from the previous poll. The Tories are on 22%, which again shows no change since November.
Labour are down two points on 14%, the Greens are up one point at 1% and the LibDems are on 6%, representing no change.
About 3%, an increase of one point, intend to back “other” parties in the regional vote.
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Independence is seen as the main issue for voters, with 44% saying it is the top issue helping them decide who to vote for.
Education follows, mentioned by 32% of voters, then it’s the NHS on 25%, coronavirus on 20% and the economy on 18%.
The environment and climate change was the top issue for just 12% of voters.
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Ipsos MORI also take a look at how the Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of the accusations against Alex Salmond is affecting polling.
There are signs that the inquiry is changing perceptions of the party, with a third of Scots (36%) saying it has made them less favourable towards the SNP. Most (58%) say it has made no difference to their view of the party.
Among those who backed the SNP at the 2019 General Election, one in five say the inquiry has made them less favourable to the party.
The survey also found that three in 10 people say they may change their mind about the constituency vote – but SNP and Tory voters are more sure about who they’re backing than Labour supporters.
READ MORE: Crown told to hand over Alex Salmond plot messages in another dramatic day at Holyrood
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon continues to be the highest-rated party leader among the public with a net satisfaction rating of +32, however this shows a 16 point drop on the previous October 2020 poll.
Douglas Ross and Willie Rennie both saw their net satisfaction rating increase by five points, to -12 and +6 respectively.
More voters are aware of them than in 2020, when 40% and 41% respectively responded “don’t know” when asked if they were satisfied or dissatisfied with the leaders.
Now just 32% of voters say they don’t know Ross, and 36% don’t know Rennie.
Emily Gray, Ipsos MORI managing director in Scotland, commented: “This latest poll from Ipsos MORI and STV News shows a fall in support for independence, and a corresponding increase in support for staying in the Union – though Yes still has a four-point lead over No.
“That’s important for Scotland’s political parties, since independence is the top issue voters say will help them make up their minds about which party to vote for in May’s Holyrood elections. At this point the SNP look on course to win a majority of seats, but the next few weeks are set to be challenging for the party, with the Salmond inquiry ongoing – and our poll shows that this issue has started to cut through with Scottish voters.”
Keith Brown, the SNP depute leader, commented: “This poll shows that voters in Scotland are continuing to put their trust in the SNP, ahead of the Westminster parties, to lead Scotland’s recovery.
“The people of Scotland want to have their say on Scotland’s future in a post-pandemic referendum, and the clearest way to secure that opportunity is with an SNP majority in May.
“While today’s findings are encouraging, they underline the importance of Both Votes SNP at the election to stop Boris Johnson’s Tory party having the whip hand over Scotland.
“It is up to the people who live and work here to decide Scotland’s future, not Westminster governments we didn’t vote for.
“The SNP take nothing for granted and will continue to work tirelessly for every single vote ahead of 6th May.”
The survey of 1031 adults was conducted by phone from February 15-21.
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