Sturgeon set to lose MSPs needed for second referendum

Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP is predicted to lose the MSPs needed to call a second independence referendum in the 2021 Holyrood elections, a poll has revealed.



A YouGov poll for the Times showed the SNP was likely to win the next election but the First Minister would be forced to run an even smaller minority Government.

She would also lose support from the Greens, as they are likely to MSPs as well.

The combined losses would make calling a second independence referendum very difficult for Mrs Sturgeon.

The First Minister announced plans to call another independence referendum after the outcome of Brexit becomes clear.

According to the poll, the SNP would secure 42% of the vote and 35% of the regional list vote for Holyrood.

This would give the party 57 seats - a loss of six from the 63 the SNP currently enjoy.

Meanwhile, the Greens would lose two of their seats, taking their total numbers from six to four.

This means the pro-independence parties would have a combined majority of 61 seats, when they need 65 for a majority.

Derek Mackay, the SNP business convener, said it was “remarkable” that the SNP was higher in the polls now than it had been at similar points in previous parliaments. He added: “With the Tories falling back into third place, it’s pretty clear the [Ruth] Davidson bubble has well and truly burst.”

Adam Tomkins, constitution spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “This is another indication that appetite for separation across Scotland is on the decline.”

James Kelly, for Labour, said: “This poll also shows that there would not be a majority for a second referendum in the next Scottish parliament — which means Nicola Sturgeon should refocus her efforts on jobs, schools and hospitals rather than trying to rerun the arguments of the past.”