Latest updates: PM and Labour leader will visit constituencies in last push before elections on Thursday
- Labour could face huge defeat in Hartlepool byelection
The Scottish papers have rival polls this morning with quite different takes on the state of the contest for the Scottish parliament.
The Times (paywall) features a YouGov poll suggesting the SNP is on course for a majority of seven. In his story Kieran Andrews reports:
The SNP is set to secure a seven-seat majority the Holyrood elections tomorrow, the latest polling reveals, raising the prospect of a second independence referendum during the lifetime of the next parliament.
YouGov’s research for The Times suggests the SNP has rebounded on the constituency ballot but is shipping support to the Scottish Greens on the regional list with Patrick Harvie’s party set to return 13 MSPs — by some margin its best ever result.
Final YouGov/Times Scottish Parliament voting intention (2-4 May)
CONSTITUENCY
SNP 52% (+3 from 16-20 April)
Con 20% (-1)
Lab 19% (-2)
LD 6% (nc)
Green 2% (+1)
REGIONAL LIST
SNP 38% (-1)
Con 22% (nc)
Lab 16% (-1)
Green 13% (+3)
LD 5% (nc)
Alba 3% (+1)https://t.co/ycvK0ZAOdl pic.twitter.com/xcw36CdOnJ
Such a result would see the pro-independence party returned to government with 59 MSPs after 14 years in power and short of a majority by six seats.
They would still retain an overall pro-independence majority alongside the Scottish Greens if similar figures are returned after polling day on Thursday …
Final Holyrood Constituency VI for @TheScotsman
SNP 42 (-3)
Conservative 25 (+2)
Labour 22 (-1)
LD 8 (+1)
Other 3 (+2)
30 April – 4 May
(chg from 23-27 April) pic.twitter.com/i1i0KTXbF2
Final Holyrood List VI for @TheScotsman
SNP 34 (-2)
CON 23 (+1)
LAB 19 (-)
LD 6 (+1)
Green 9 (-1)
Other 8 (-)
30 April – 4 May
(chg from 23-27 April) pic.twitter.com/TFpVlaKxBM
Radio 4’s Today programme has interviewed all the other party leaders ahead of tomorrow’s elections, but Boris Johnson refused an invitation to appear this morning. As John McDonnell, the former Labour shadow chancellor points out, Johnson has a habit of avoiding election scrutiny by the media.
Johnson’s refused to go on BBC’s Today programme. Same tactics as in general election to avoid detailed questioning. He’s playing the BBC again & getting away with it. The BBC should refuse to accept a substitute, blank Johnson’ stunts and offer their slots to the other parties.
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