SNP MAJORITY HANGS IN THE BALANCE IN SHOCK NEW POLL

SNP could scrape majority by single seat as poll puts result on knife-edge

NICOLA Sturgeon’s SNP could scrape an election majority by a single seat — as a poll puts the result on a knife-edge.

The SNP are heading for a historic fourth term but the push to run a post recovery referendum may hang in the balance with the projected seat tally at 65 and 64 for rival parties.

The First Minister wants a majority of Nats MSPs in her bid to craft a robust recovery after the pandemic. The First Minister does not want to be reliant on the votes of environmentalists and the fringes of the independence movement to get legislation passed. 

However, Panelbase research for The Sunday Times suggests that this hangs in the balance, illustrating that the outcome is way too close to call with only four days of campaigning left.

A senior SNP source warned yesterday: “The next period is crucial. If there is no referendum in the next parliament there might never be one.”

With nine seats forecast for the Greens and three for Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, there could be a pro-indy “supermajority” of 25 in parly.

Election guru Prof John Curtice, predicted the Tories will have 28 MSPs, Labour 18 and the Lib Dems six based on the study and said a Conservative pitch for regional list votes looked to be cutting through to unionists.

He added: “Labour’s attempt to persuade voters to put the constitutional question to one side could see them left high and dry.”