Alex Salmond’s Alba Party to take just 3% of regional vote, new poll suggests

The newly-formed Alba Party looks set to take just 3% of the regional vote in the upcoming Holyrood election, a new poll suggests.

A study by Survation – the first since the party’s launch last week – for DC Thomson found them to be lagging behind, with respondents saying that leader Alex Salmond hinders the cause of Scottish independence.

The poll, which spoke to more than 1,000 people, shows the SNP retaining a runaway lead, with 49% in constituencies and 38% on the regional list.

The Scottish Tories appear locked in a tight battle with Labour for second place, with Douglas Ross’ party on 21% and 18%, compared to 20% and 19% for Labour.

The Lib Dems are at 9% in constituency votes and 8% in the regions, while the Scottish Greens sit on 11% regionally.

Full details from the poll have been published in our sister title The Courier.

‘It’s all over for Salmond’: Exclusive polling puts Alba Party on 3%

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: “To ensure Nicola Sturgeon is the First Minister to lead us out of the pandemic the people of Scotland need to give both votes to the SNP on May 6.

“These are serious times which need serious leadership and Nicola Sturgeon is the only credible candidate for First Minister.

“Just as she has led the nation through the past 12 months of crisis, she will lead us through recovery to build a happier, fairer, better Scotland, and keep our NHS safe.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “Only the Scottish Conservatives have the strength to stop an SNP majority, stop their push for another independence referendum and get all of the focus back on rebuilding Scotland and recovering from this pandemic.”

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said her party were on course for a record number of MSPs and would “play a crucial role in securing a pro-independence majority in May”.

She added: “I’m also proud that if this poll turns into votes we will have eight women and three men as our Scottish Green MSPs.

“We’re asking people to vote like our future depends on it and it’s clear that our plans for a green recovery and to tackle the climate emergency are connecting with voters.”