Poll: SNP on course to win 50 seats at general election

The SNP are on course to lose six seats to the Conservatives at the general election but still comfortably return a majority of Scotland's MPs, a new poll suggests.

A new poll suggests the SNP could lose six seats at the general election - but Nicola Sturgeon's party would still comfortably remain Scotland's biggest party in terms of MPs. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA

Nicola Sturgeon’s party is on 43 per cent of those certain to vote on June 8, according to an Ipos Mori survey published today, down from 50 per cent at the 2015 Westminster election.

The Tories are on 25 per cent, the same as Scottish Labour. The Liberal Democrats are on five per cent.

The poll of 1016 voters north of the border was commissioned by STV and carried out between May 22 and 27.

A new poll suggests the SNP could lose six seats at the general election - but Nicola Sturgeon's party would still comfortably remain Scotland's biggest party in terms of MPs. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA

Electoral Calculus predicts the voting intentions revealed by the poll would see the SNP return 50 of Scotland’s 59 MPS, with the Tories picking up six seats to win a total of seven.

Labour and the Lib Dems would hold their single seats.

The survey also found support for Scottish independence on 47 per cent, with 53 per cent against. A previous poll published in March - carried out days before Brexit was triggered - had the vote split 50-50.

SNP election campaign manager, Derek Mackay, said: “This poll shows that only a vote for the SNP can keep the Tories out.

A new poll suggests the SNP could lose six seats at the general election - but Nicola Sturgeon's party would still comfortably remain Scotland's biggest party in terms of MPs. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA

“Labour can’t win the election in Scotland – and a vote for them just risks letting a Tory MP in the back door.

“Now, more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland at Westminster.”

Scottish Labour campaign manager James Kelly, speaking in reaction to the voting intention results, said: “This is another encouraging poll which shows that increasing numbers of Scots know the only way to defeat the SNP in the majority of seats in Scotland is to vote Labour on June 8.

“In seats such as Edinburgh South, East Lothian, Lanark and Hamilton East, Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill, and Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, only Labour can beat the SNP - the Tories aren’t at the races here.

“Support for Ruth Davidson is declining as voters reject her vision for a more divided society and turn to Kezia Dugdale’s vision for a country for the many, not the few.”