SNP on course for extra 11 MPs at General Election, analysis suggests

The SNP is on course to add an extra 11 MPs at the General Election next week, new analysis suggests.

A YouGov poll for the Times puts support for the Scottish National Party at 44%, up one point on polling in August.

The Tories are on 28%, up eight points from the last poll, while Labour remains on 15%.

They are followed by the Liberal Democrats with 12% support, the same as in August, and the Greens with 1%, down three points.

According to projections by polling expert Sir John Curtice, this would see the number of SNP MPs increase from 35 to 46.

Writing in the Times, he said: “Most of the seats being defended by the Conservatives are highly marginal.

“Consequently, even if the party retains all the support it won in 2017, it could still lose a significant number of seats if, as our poll suggests, support for the SNP increases.”

The analysis suggests the Conservatives would secure eight seats in Scotland, the Liberal Democrats four and Labour one.

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford welcomed the poll.

He said: “This stunning poll is a huge boost for the SNP in the final days of the election campaign – but there is a lot more work to do before polling day.

“This poll shows that it is only a vote for the SNP at this election that can lock Boris Johnson out of No 10, protect the NHS and see Scotland escape Brexit – and we will be pressing that message right up until 10pm on polling day.

“The SNP is the main challenger in every Tory-held seat, the strongest party of Remain, and the only party offering people in Scotland a choice over our future.”