SNP voters are turning away from the party after the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon in a fraud probe, according to a recent poll that positions Labour as the largest party in Scotland.
A survey conducted by Panelbase for the Sunday Times projects that Scottish Labour could secure 26 seats in Westminster, a significant increase from their current one seat.
This projection places Labour ahead of the SNP, which is anticipated to win 21 seats, a notable decline from their current 45 seats.
If this outcome materializes, it would mark the first time since 2010 that Sir Keir Starmer's party becomes the largest Scottish group in Westminster, potentially bolstering their chances of gaining power.
The poll was conducted following Ms. Sturgeon's seven-hour detention last Sunday by detectives investigating the whereabouts of over £600,000 in donations.
She was subsequently released without charge, pending further investigation, and maintains her innocence.
The survey also indicates a decline in support for the SNP, with 34 percent stating they would vote for the party in the next general election, a five-point drop compared to Panelbase's previous poll in March.
Additionally, the poll suggests that Scottish Labour and the SNP are neck-and-neck, with both parties receiving equal levels of support over the same period. The Conservatives would secure 18 percent, while the Liberal Democrats and other parties would each receive 7 percent.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sturgeon's popularity has plummeted by 38 points since the previous research in February, now standing at minus 18.
First Minister Humza Yousaf holds a rating of minus 12, while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar scores minus 2, and Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross receives minus 34.
The poll also found that 44 percent of respondents believed Scotland should be an independent country, while half disagreed, and the remainder were unsure.
Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour deputy leader, stated, "The polls are clear – Labour has put an end to the SNP's domination in Scottish politics and is striving to win seats across the nation. The people of Scotland recognize that only Labour can remove the Tories and bring about the necessary change. All the SNP offers is further chaos and misconduct. The path to a Labour government runs through Scotland, and the upcoming Labour government will deliver for the people of Scotland. From addressing the cost-of-living crisis to creating thousands of green jobs, Scottish Labour is the change that Scotland needs."
Panelbase conducted interviews with 1,007 individuals aged 16 and above in Scotland between June 12 and 15. Photo by Scottish Government, Wikimedia commons.