'Vote for Reform and get another SNP government'

THE SNP will be the “happiest” party about a new Holyrood opinion poll which shows support for Reform soaring to its highest ever level in Scotland.

- David Walker

Replicated at the polls, it would open the door for a pro-independence majority as the SNP, Greens and Alba would have enough to form a non-official coalition at the very least.

John Swinney’s vote share appears to have slumped and is miles away from 2021 where the Nats secured a huge 48%, which was enough to be just one MSP away from another majority government.

But the rise of Nigel Farage’s party will see Mr Swinney potentially secure another five years as First Minister.

According to a Survation poll, conducted for PR firm Quantum Communications, the SNP will return 55 MSPs, a drop of nine from 2021 and 10 away from a majority.

The Greens will go from seven to 10, and Alba will win their first ever elected representative, giving the pro-independence group 66.