Tory leaders prove popular with older voters as Nicola Sturgeon’s stock plummets

THERESA May has trumped Nicola Sturgeon in the political leaders’ popularity ratings with Scotland’s pensioners.

Despite her low profile north of the Border, the Prime Minister banked a favourability score of 46% among those who took part in the Survation poll.

This is well ahead of Nicola Sturgeon and much closer to Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.

The First Minister’s popularity with older voters has fallen since The Sunday Post’s last pensioner poll in March 2016.

Last year Miss Sturgeon scored a net favourability score of minus one, while last week’s research put her at minus 14.

By contrast, Miss Davidson was on minus six in last year’s poll but now has a net favourability score of plus 20.

A Tory spokesman said: “It’s no surprise to see Ruth’s popularity increase as Nicola Sturgeon’s plummets.

“That shows how opposed people are to a second divisive referendum.”

Elsewhere, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s has scored disastrously with pensioners.

The 67-year-old was backed by just 12% of respondents and regarded as unfavourable by 70%, leaving him with a net rating of minus 58 – 43 points behind the next worst leaders, Scottish Labour’s Kezia Dugdale and the Greens’ Patrick Harvie.

The poll findings got worse for veteran left winger Mr Corbyn when respondents were asked to rate the worst of the Labour Party’s leaders over the last 40 years.

Mr Corbyn was top, attracting 36% of the vote, followed by Tony Blair on 20%, then Ed Miliband on 11%.