The Scottish Political Landscape: Analysis with Professor Sir John Curtice

True North Advisors was delighted to be joined by Professor Sir John Curtice to discuss the
findings of the strategic consultancy’s latest poll.

Managing Partner Fergus Mutch chaired a discussion between Professor Curtice and True
North’s Senior Advisors, Dr Eilidh Whiteford and Andrew Liddle, on Survation’s findings.
The poll indicates a significant shift in the Scottish political landscape, with the Scottish
Labour Party now just two points behind the SNP on Westminster voting intention.

Were the poll’s findings to be replicated at the ballot box, it would leave next year’s General
Election in Scotland finely poised, with both parties on course to return 24 MPs according to
Professor Curtice. Such a result would significantly increase the likelihood of Keir Starmer
winning an overall majority at Westminster.

Meanwhile, voters have also expressed growing dissatisfaction with the SNP-Scottish Green
Party cooperation agreement. A majority of people in Scotland now no longer support the
arrangement, with 40 percent actively opposing it, including almost a quarter of voters who
supported the SNP at the 2019 General Election. That is an increase from when Survation last
asked this question in May, when only 37 percent of overall voters – and 21 percent of SNP
2019 voters – opposed the deal.

Survation’s research also provided further evidence that support for independence is no
longer synonymous with support for the SNP. While support for independence remains high
(48 percent), support for the SNP stands at 37 points, two ahead of the Scottish Labour Party
on 35 points.

In terms of the approval ratings of party leaders, Scottish Labour’s Sarwar remains the most
popular figure, while Humza Yousaf continues to be viewed less favourably by the public.
You can view the full findings of the poll here.

You can watch True North Advisors’ webinar with Professor Sir John Curtice here:

Andrew Liddle

Senior Advisor