Humiliation for SNP as one get together opens up largest hole since 2014 in newest shock ballot | Politics | News | EUROtoday

The SNP has suffered a humiliating blow as a General Election ballot exhibits Scottish Labour opening up its largest lead in Scotland in a decade. Polling carried out on June 1-2 by Redfield & Wilton Strategies exhibits Labour on 39 p.c (+1), 10 proportion factors above the SNP’s 29 p.c (-2).

Labour’s result’s three factors increased than Redfield & Wilton’s earlier ballot in May. The international polling and market analysis agency mentioned this newest outcome represents the joint-largest lead recorded by any polling firm for Sir Keir Starmer’s get together since May 2014.

It added: “The 39 percent for Labour in this latest poll is their highest vote share in our Scottish voting intention polling to date and the joint-highest share of the vote they have recorded in any Westminster Voting Intention poll publicly released by any company since October 2013.

“Conversely, the 29 p.c for the SNP in at this time’s ballot is the joint-lowest share of the vote they’ve recorded in any Westminster Voting Intention ballot publicly launched by any firm since May 2013.”

The poll puts the Scottish Conservatives on 17 percent (+3), Lib Dems on eight percent (-), Greens on three percent (-1), Alba Party on one percent (-) and other parties on one percent (+1).

When those who say they don’t know how they intend to vote in the General Election are included, the Labour Party leads the SNP by nine percent in Scotland, according to Redfield & Wilton.

First Minister John Swinney’s party has been rocked in recent months by Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation amid a scandal over party finances and Humza Yousaf stepping down after a vote of no confidence.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has targeted the SNP’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis, NHS as well as oil and gas licences in recent clashes with the party. A new row has also opened up over Holyrood’s spending.

In a futher humiliating blow to the SNP, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was forced to deny on Thursday that the Scottish Government is returning £450million in EU funds.

Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader Dame Jackie Baillie said it was a “scandal” ministers hadn’t spent EU Structural Funds, which had been allocated to tackle poverty across the country.

A report by the independent Scottish Parliament Information Centre said the Scottish Government was initially allocated £801m (941million euros), however the figure now stands at £667m (783.4m euros) following a reduction of £134m (157.6m euros) because annual expenditure targets set by the European Commission were missed.

The report said as of June 4, 64 percent of the revised funding had been paid out to the Scottish Government, with £238m (280 m) – 36 percent – remaining. It is expected a further two claims will be made by ministers, with the first likely to be submitted in July.

Ms Forbes said the £450m figure wasn’t recognised, adding the Scottish Government would spend as much of the earmarked cash as possible by 2025.

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative chief Douglas Ross confirmed on Thursday (June 6) that he intends to face on the General Election regardless of initially planning to step down.

Mr Ross entered the fray with simply 24 hours left for nominations to be confirmed for seats forward of the July 4 ballot.