Stick to day job, Scots tell SNP in new poll
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Just one in 10 Scots think another referendum should be a priority for the Scottish Government, new polling has revealed.
As John Swinney prepares to be elected First Minister for the forthcoming session, analysis carried out immediately after the election has revealed voters feel there are at least nine issues more important than the constitution.
Asked for their top priorities for Holyrood, Scots said they want their new government to concentrate on the cost of living and the NHS.
The study of more than 1,000 people was carried out by Survation in the wake of the Holyrood election on May 7.
It also showed voters feel matters like immigration, the economy and jobs, energy bills, and housing should be a stronger focus for SNP ministers.
They also rank crime and policing, tax, and education as more important subjects than a referendum on independence.
The polling was commissioned by Scotland in Union, the largest pro-UK campaigning organisation.
It also found 58 per cent of people felt the Scottish Government “should stop spending public money on planning for another independence referendum”.
Just 29 per cent want ministers to continue that spending.
Alastair Cameron, chair of Scotland in Union, said:
“Before John Swinney embarks on another five years of separatist tub-thumping, he should take note of people’s priorities.
“This poll, carried out in the wake of the election, makes clear that most people do not think another referendum should be a priority in any way, shape or form.
“They want to see ministers who focus on the cost-of-living crisis, health and the economy.
“And they cite a whole range of other topics which are more important – including education, justice and housing.
“What’s more, they believe that the SNP must stop spending public money on their obsession with leaving the UK.
“As Mr Swinney prepares to retake the First Minister’s chair, he should respect Scots' wishes and pause his divisive attempts to break the UK apart.”
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The Survation polling was carried out on behalf of Scotland in Union between May 8 and May 11, 2026. The sample size was 1,012 people.
Q. Which of the following should be the top priorities for the new Scottish Government? (Select up to 3).
Cost of living: 58%
NHS: 48%
Immigration: 27%
Economy and jobs: 22%
Energy bills: 22%
Housing: 15%
Crime and policing: 14%
Tax levels: 12%
Education: 11%
Another Scottish independence referendum: 10%
Climate change: 8%
Welfare and benefits: 8%
Social care: 6%
Family life and childcare: 4%
Our culture, identity and values: 3%
Transport: 3%
Culture and the arts: 1%
None of the above: 1%
Don't know: 4%
Q) Which of the following is closest to your view?
The Scottish Government should stop spending public money on planning for another independence referendum: 58%
The Scottish Government should continue spending public money on planning for an independence referendum: 29%
Don't know: 12%
See slides here.
See data tables here:
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