NICOLA STURGEON is liked by more Labour supporters than the party’s new Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale, according to a new poll.

The latest TNS poll also shows Ms Sturgeon’s party has maintained a large lead over Labour in voting intentions ahead of the Holyrood election in May.

The survey of 1,034 people was conducted between October 16 and November 4, with Scottish Labour’s annual conference taking place in Perth towards the end of this period.

Voters were asked to rate party leaders, with the First Minister emerging as the most popular.

A total of 44% of those surveyed said they like Ms Sturgeon, while a quarter said they dislike her.

The SNP leader is predictably held in high regard by SNP supporters, with 82% saying they like her, and is the most popular party leader among undecided voters, liked by 28%.

She is also liked by more Labour supporters than Ms Dugdale, with 32% of those intending to give their constituency vote to Labour in May stating they like Ms Sturgeon, compared with just 25% who said they like Ms Dugdale.Click here to read more Politics newsMs Dugdale was liked by just 7% of those surveyed, with 23% disliking her, while nearly half of the respondents – 46% – said they did not know who she is, including 39% of those intending to vote for her party.

When asked about their voting intentions in the Scottish election, 58% of those who expressed a preference said they would give their constituency vote to the SNP – up two points on the previous month.

Labour gained three points to stand at 24%, with the Conservatives unchanged on 12% and the Liberal Democrats down two points to 4%.

In the regional vote, 52% backed the SNP, unchanged from last month, with Labour up two points to 25%, the Tories unchanged on 11%, the Lib Dems down one point to 5% and the Greens unchanged on 5%.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “We are in no doubt that regaining the trust and confidence of the Scottish people will take time but we are confident that with fresh leadership and a focus on cutting the gap between the richest and the rest, we can be the party that people in Scotland put their faith in again.

“Scotland needs a radical alternative to an SNP Government who are beginning to make the same mistakes Labour used to make. That’s why next May the SNP won’t get it all their own way.”

SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay MSP said: “This is another very welcome poll showing people in Scotland are continuing to back the SNP’s positive, progressive vision for Scotland’s future – and putting their trust in the party to build on our record of delivery and success in government.”Politics Podcast: We discuss The Scotland Bill and argue whether Britain is better than Spain – click here to listen