Support for Scottish independence, the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon have all fallen sharply amid criticism of the ‘fiasco’ in the party’s approach to trans rights.
A YouGov poll showed support for the SNP in the Holyrood election has fallen to its lowest level in five years, while voting intentions for the Westminster election are the worst since 2019.
The poll found that Ms. Sturgeon’s personal approval rating also slipped into negative territory — from 7 percent in October to minus 4 percent.
Meanwhile, support for Scottish independence fell from 53 percent to 47 percent, the lowest level since last spring.
The poll results come after a former deputy leader of the SNP said the gender reform bill, which would have made it easier for Scots to change gender, would be Ms Sturgeon’s equivalent of the disastrous ” poll tax” by Margaret Thatcher.
Jim Sillars told the Sunday Times: “The basis of our advocacy for independence – that we could do things better ourselves – is being undermined by this gender fiasco.”
Ms Sturgeon threatened legal action after the Prime Minister confirmed Westminster would prevent its controversial gender identity legislation from becoming law.
Referring to the case of Isla Bryson – a 31-year-old trans woman who was convicted last month by the High Court in Glasgow of raping two women – Mr. invade women’s safe spaces. The recent rape case will not be the only one that will haunt her.”
Ms Bryson was initially held in Cornton Vale, a women’s prison near Stirling, while awaiting sentencing. After widespread public outcry, she was transferred to HMP Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government then declared a moratorium on the placement of male sex offenders in women’s prisons.
Ms Sturgeon said earlier this week that it’s “almost certainly” that Bryson isn’t really transgender – she agreed she only claims to be so as “an easy way out”.
The YouGov survey commissioned by the Sunday Times found that support for the SNP has fallen from 50 per cent to 44 per cent in the next Holyrood election when it comes to constituency voting.
SNP MP Joanna Cherry, a critic of Ms Sturgeon’s legislation, tweeted: “It’s time to admit the feminist critique of self ID and the GRR bill was right, eat some plain pie and sort this mess before it does even more damage. to the reputation of our party, Parliament and the cause of Scotland’s independence.”
Ms Sturgeon has said she plans to hold the next UK general election as a “de facto referendum” on Scottish independence.
But commenting on the survey results, opinion poll expert Prof Sir John Curtice said the “issue of transgender prisoners” had taken a toll on support for the SNP.
Sir John said: “While the decline in support for independence is likely part of the explanation, it appears that the mistreatment suffered by the Scottish Government, particularly with regard to the issue of transgender prisoners, has also taken its toll on the support from the SNP. .”