New poll shows Greens could come second to SNP in May’s Holyrood election

The Greens have claimed they could be the main opposition party at Holyrood as the party welcomed a new poll which it said showed them in “touching distance” of taking second place in May’s Scottish election.

Recent polls have suggested that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK could win the race for second place in the Scottish Parliament.

But Scottish Greens leader Gillian Mackay said this latest study showed there was “huge and growing momentum” behind her party.

She spoke out as research by Lord Ashcroft polling showed the SNP comfortably in the lead on both the regional and constituency ballots.

The polling showed by a margin of two to one that voters thought Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was right to call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister – with 49% saying he was right to do so, compared to 24% who said he was wrong.

The poll still showed Mr Sarwar’s party in fourth place on the regional list section of the ballot – behind the SNP, the Scottish Greens and Reform.

Labour’s support on the list section was 12% while John Swinney’s SNP polled 31%, with the Scottish Greens on 17% and Reform UK – led in Scotland by Malcolm Offord – on 15%.

The Scottish Conservatives, meanwhile, were on 10%, with the Liberal Democrats on 9%.

On the constituency section of the ballot, support for the SNP was at 39%, putting the party ahead of Reform UK on 14% and Labour on 12%.

Meanwhile the Scottish Greens – who are not standing candidates in all constituencies – were on 11%, ahead of the Liberal Democrats on 10% and the Conservatives on 9%.

Ms Mackay said: “There is a lot of work to do between now and May 7, and we will never take anything for granted, but a result like this would transform Scottish politics and our country.

“It could put us as the main opposition in Holyrood, challenging power and making clear that we don’t have to accept things as they are.”

She added: “With more Green MSPs, we can do even more to deliver for our climate and our communities, and to halt the growth of Reform.”

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said the poll “shows momentum is firmly with the SNP as Scottish voters unite behind John Swinney’s strong leadership”.

Mr Brown stated: “John Swinney is fully focused on Scotland’s priorities – our plan for the NHS is working and we offer the best cost-of-living package on these islands.”

With the survey also showing 48% of Scots back independence, ahead of 52% who favour the country remaining in the UK, Mr Brown added that “war in the Middle East has shone a spotlight on exactly why Scotland needs a fresh start with independence”.

He added that an independent Scotland could “use our energy wealth to bring down bills and shield us from future energy shocks”.

The SNP MSP said: “We cannot afford to be complacent, but we have a bold vision for Scotland while the Westminster parties have absolutely nothing to offer.

“We will provide transformational childcare to all children until the end of primary school, offer up to £10,000 to help first-time buyers and deliver 30 GP walk-in centres across the country – that’s what you get with a John Swinney government.”