Bombshell survey puts Reform five points ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s party north of the border
Nigel Farage is leading Reform to an astonishing rise in popularity (Image: Getty)
Reform UK has a clear lead over Labour in Scotland in a new poll ahead of May’s Holyrood election. The YouGov survey puts Nigel Farage’s party, which is led by former Tory peer Malcolm Offord north of the border, five points ahead of Scottish Labour.
Reform UK is backed by 20% of voters in both the constituency and regional vote, compared to 15% for Labour. The SNP takes the lead on 34% and 29% respectively, but that is a substantial drop from its backing in the last Scottish Parliament election in 2021.
Former Tory peer Malcolm Offord is Reform’s Scottish leader (Image: Getty)
The Conservatives have 10% support in constituencies and 11% in the regional list.
The Scottish Greens are on 9% in constituencies and 12% on the list, while the Lib Dems are on 10% and 9% respectively.
Reform’s Mr Offord said the poll findings “reflect the reality we are hearing on the doorsteps”.
He added: “Anas Sarwar is in the last-chance saloon. His desperate attempts to escape Scottish Labour’s toxic brand and make this a presidential election between him and [John] Swinney have backfired spectacularly.
“The SNP are down 14 points on the 2021 election, recording their lowest opinion poll share since John Swinney’s disastrous first leadership of the party in 2003.
“It is now a clear two-horse race between a clapped-out SNP Government and a new direction for Scotland with Reform.”
The poll is a blow to Sir Keir Starmer, who is facing questions over his leadership ahead of the May elections, which are expected to be a bloodbath for Labour.
YouGov polled 1,113 people in Scotland between January 8 and 14.
