THE Scottish Greens have reached a record high level of popularity following the party's co-operation deal with the SNP, new polling analysis has shown.
Ballot Box Scotland analysed Holyrood polling figures in the latest survey from Savanta ComRes on Holyrood voting intentions, which saw the Greens on a record-high 13% of the regional list vote.
The poll, which was compiled for The Scotsman, asked 1016 Scottish adults of voting age if an election were to take place tomorrow, who they would vote for on both the constituency and regional list ballots.
The analysis from Ballot Box Scotland suggests that the Greens could elect as many as 13 MSPs if they maintain a high level of support.
READ MORE: Tories accused by Greens of misleading Scots over oil projects in the North Sea
The latest polling is equal to one from YouGov taken before the Scottish Parliament election in May which also put the Greens on 13% of the list vote.
The Savanta ComRes poll also found that most people polled support the SNP-Green deal. It saw that 44% of respondents support the deal while 36% oppose it, while 20% had no opinion.
Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said: "The record-high level of support for the Scottish Greens shows that voters are excited by our entering into government for the first time.
"The public expect their elected representatives to focus on what they can achieve for people and planet, rather than cheap soundbites and opposition for opposition’s sake. That is exactly the approach we will take over the next five years.
"If the experience of our Green colleagues in New Zealand is anything to go by, our achievements in government will see this figure rise further."
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces ministerial briefs for Greens co-leaders
In May the Scottish Greens elected a record eight MSPs to Holyrood, the highest number the party has returned at a Scottish election since the parliament was reconvened and allowing them to overtake the LibDems who returned just four MSPs.
Last month, members of the SNP and Scottish Greens overwhelmingly backed a co-operation deal between the two parties which has seen the Green co-leaders enter government with ministerial roles.
Patrick Harvie took on a role as Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights Minister and Lorna Slater became the Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Minister.
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