SCOTLAND would vote to become independent if a new referendum were held tomorrow, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by Norstat for The Times, predicted that Scots would vote for independence by 52% to 48% if there were a second vote on the constitution.
It is the first poll released since Peter Murrell – the party’s former chief executive and the estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022.
The whole affair has led to days of negative media coverage for the party but support appears – for the time being – to not be impacted.
The survey – which was conducted between May 27 and May 29 and polled 1002 Scots – also found that the SNP is on 34% on voting intention for the next General Election, with Reform and Labour trailing on 17 and 16% respectively.
It also comes as SNP insiders have reported a bounce in donations during a certainly tumultuous week for the party.
One source told the Sunday Telegraph that the SNP had received money worth “several thousand” and said it showed supporters still had faith in the party despite Murrell’s “betrayal”.
A party insider said: “Since Monday, we’ve had a significant uptick in donations from ordinary SNP members. Donations totalling into several thousand.
“SNP members and the party have been the victim of an appalling betrayal and theft, but clearly folk retain that resolve to deliver independence and put faith in the only party that can deliver it.
“Our opposition wants this to be all about them. They want the crimes that Peter Murrell committed to be about themselves when it is about ordinary SNP members who paid their dues and were betrayed.
“Clearly the strength of support for the party demonstrates that whilst SNP members are deeply betrayed by Murrell’s crimes, it will not diminish the depth of their belief and commitment to the cause of independence and to the party of independence – the SNP.”
