After a decade of dominance, the SNP's grip on power is finally crumbling - analysis by Millie Cooke

After a decade of dominance, the SNP's grip on power is finally crumbling - analysis by Millie Cooke
SNP Yousaf speech 171023
GB NEWS
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 10/04/2024

- 16:28

Updated: 10/04/2024

- 17:50

In the last 12 months, growing disillusionment withthe SNP has reached a critical point

After more than ten years of dominance, the SNP's grip on power is finally coming crumbling down.

Despite losing the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, the wave of support the SNP was riding remained strong.


But in the last year, major cracks have begun to show.

From their gender recognition legislation, which faced controversy over concerns about trans prisoners, to Operation Branchform - which saw Nicola Sturgoen and other major party figures brought in for questioning, the SNP has bounced from controversy to controversy for more than a year now.

Humza Yousaf/Anas Sarwar

Both Labour and the Tories have been quick to point out growing NHS waiting lists

PA

In the last 12 months, growing scepticism towards the SNP has reached a critical point. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the party to hide from its own record.

Both Labour and the Tories have been quick to point out growing NHS waiting lists, with figures showing that waiting lists in Scotland are as much as 24 times higher than in England, and poor educational attainment.

The tax gap between England and Scotland has done the SNP no favours either.

Workers in Scotland who earn more than £28,850 pay more income tax than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. The average person earning £50,000 in Scotland pays £1500 more than their equivalent in England.

And most recently, the SNP's new hate crime legislation has only added to spiralling disillusionment with the party.

After a decade of being the most popular party in Scotland, the SNP's grip on the top spot seems to be finally falling apart. And the latest polling from YouGov confirms it.

Humza Yousaf

After more than ten years of dominance, the SNP's grip on power is finally coming crumbling down

PA

The last few months have seen growing scepticism towards the SNP

The survey, conducted between March 25 and April 2, up one point from October. The SNP was on 31 per cent, down by two points on October.

For the first time since the 2014 independence referendum, the Labour Party has overtaken the SNP.

MRP polling conducted by YouGov last month, which spoke to 18,000 people, showed that the SNP could lose 29 seats at the next election - with most of them going to Labour.

Another poll from Ipsos found that 7 in 10 Scots want "fresh leaders".

While voters were not convinced that the Labour Party is the right alternative, with just 34 per cent of respondents saying Labour is ready to form a government in Scotland, it is clear that the tide is turning for the SNP.

You may like