Latest poll shows SNP riding high as Scots back Nicola Sturgeon's handling of Covid crisis – Angus Robertson

Some 71 per cent of people have confidence in Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of the Covid crisis, while 54 per cent plan to vote SNP at next Holyrood election, writes Angus Robertson

Nicola Sturgeon gives a briefing about the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak (Picture: Scottish Government)

With normal politics in suspension, it was interesting to see the recent opinion polling in Scotland which took the temperature of people’s views.

The headline YouGov numbers were really very striking, with approval of the Scottish Government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis at an overwhelming 74 per cent, confidence in Nicola Sturgeon at 71 per cent, SNP Holyrood voting intention at 54 per cent and SNP Westminster voting intention at 51 per cent.

In turn, the findings were all really remarkable. Amongst the three-quarters of people in Scotland thinking the Scottish Government is handling the coronavirus well, the strong approval was shared by Conservative and Labour voters, where 70 per cent of both thought that the SNP Holyrood administration was doing well.

In contrast, the UK’s Government handling of the crisis saw 47 per cent thinking they were doing well, with 48 per cent badly.

Opinion on Nicola Sturgeon making the right decisions on coronavirus saw a massive 71 per cent say they have a lot or a fair amount of confidence in the First Minister, with only 23 per cent saying they had not very much or no confidence.

This compares with 40 per cent having a lot or fair amount of confidence in Boris Johnson, with 55 per cent having not very much or no confidence.

With elections taking place next year for the Scottish Parliament, it’s really interesting to delve into the detail of the poll which shows how popular the SNP is now with women: with a jaw-dropping 59 per cent compared with 50 per cent amongst men.

The only higher level of support is amongst 18-24 and 25-49 aged voters where it is currently running at 65 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.

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