Salmond’s popularity slides

ALEX Salmond has seen his record-high personal ratings fall over the winter months, new polling has revealed.

The First Minister suffered a 13 per cent drop in voter satisfaction compared to the end of last year, according to an Ipsos-Mori poll of 1,000 Scottish residents. In December, 62 per cent of people in Scotland said they were “satisfied” with the First Minister, compared to just 27 per cent “dissatisfied” – giving him a “net” approval rating of 35 per cent.

However, a new poll conducted last week shows that 58 per cent now express satisfaction, as against 36 per cent who are dissatisfied – bringing his rating down to 22 per cent. Despite the slump, however, Mr Salmond remains far more popular than his rivals.

SNP aides also noted last night his current ratings remain far higher than they were prior to last year’s election, when they were as low as 1 per cent.

The results emerged after a month where Mr Salmond has been a near constant presence on news bulletins following the announcement of his preferred date for a referendum, in autumn 2014. That came after he received several media and political accolades during the Christmas and New Year period.