Two thirds of Scots believe Labour is doing a bad job running the UK, according to a new YouGov poll for the Scottish Election Study — a sharp rise from 52% this time last year.
By contrast, 46% say the SNP is doing a bad job, down from 52% in 2024.
The poll - published in The Times - predates Labour’s recent tax-rise flip-flop, which MSPs say has sent their Holyrood prospects “going down the plughole”.
Fraser McMillan of Edinburgh University said satisfaction levels were “not good for anyone”, adding: “But obviously they are disastrous for Labour.”
On Anas Sarwar, he said: “You have to feel sorry for Anas Sarwar, he is a serious guy and he has been positioning himself as first minister but Labour are now polling below where they were in 2021. Sarwar will be scrapping for second place with Reform.”
The findings suggest Labour’s standing in Scotland continues to move in line with views of the Westminster government, while the SNP remains ahead on first-past-the-post preferences as the pro-Union vote fragments.