Worst polling for SNP since October 2019 | Who won the BBC leaders' debate?

The SNP could be set for its worst result at the Scottish Parliament elections since it first came to power in 2007 under Alex Salmond, a new poll suggests. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] May 5, 2021 [Sam Shedden] Sam Shedden Engagement Editor Good morning, Just one more day of campaigning to go before Scotland goes to the polls for the [Scottish Parliament elections.]( The final party leaders debate was held last night on the BBC. Will it have changed anyone's mind? Highly doubtful, argues our Westminster correspondent Alexander Brown who skewers the Scottish leaders in his review of the programme saying they "[failed to offer anything to change voters’ minds](." It was a night the opposition leaders needed something, anything, to finally land a blow on the seemingly untouchable First Minister. But did they? Alex ponders [who truly won the debate.]( Our latest polling is bad news for the SNP. [The party could be set for its worst result at the Scottish elections since it first came to power in 2007 under Alex Salmond](, our exclusive poll from Savanta ComRes has found. We also wanted to know [why are voters backing each of the three main parties?](Well, it's a mix of independence stance, leadership, and manifesto according to the results. To get you ready for all the election results, news and analysis in the days ahead, we're offering a 25 per cent discount on the price of an [annual digital subscription](. Use the code SCOTELEC21 at checkout to take advantage of this fantastic deal. This offer is only available until midnight on May 13, 2021. [Subscribe today for a year's worth of quality Scottish journalism for 18p a day.]( In transport news, the type of ScotRail train involved in the fatal Stonehaven derailment should be withdrawn from service because of their lack of crashworthiness, a rail engineer has urged. Gareth Dennis said the “High Speed Trains” (HSTs), which are based on a 50-year-old design, [should no longer operate because of the lack of protection they offered in a crash compared to more modern trains, including for drivers.]( Finally, we love to hear from you. We encourage any reader with something to say on a topical issue to email lettersts@scotsman.com for a chance to feature online and in our newspaper. Today's letters section is proving a talker as one June Banks argues [VisitScotland is to blame for Scotland's recent campervan "nightmare](". Thanks for reading, don't forget to [subscribe]( if you want unlimited access to all our stories. [Sam Shedden,](sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk [Worst polling for SNP since October 2019 ahead of election day]( The SNP could be set for its worst result at the Scottish Parliament elections since it first came to power in 2007 under Alex Salmond, a new poll suggests. [{$escapedtitle}]( [Article Image]( [Scottish election 2021: Who won the final leaders' debate before Scotland goes to the polls?]( Tonight's debate represented a highlights episode as the party leaders' answers failed to offer anything to change voters’ minds. [Article Image]( [Beer deliveries: ales and lagers delivered with the best beer subscriptions 2021 from BeerHawk and Beer52]( Delicious, new beers delivered direct you your door: we review the best beer delivery services 2021 Promoted by Local Buys [Article Image]( [Scrap ScotRail train fleet involved in Stonehaven crash, rail engineer demands]( The type of ScotRail train involved in the fatal Stonehaven derailment should be withdrawn from service because of their lack of crashworthiness, a rail engineer has urged. [Article Image]( [Scottish election 2021: Why are voters backing each of the three main parties?]( Their party’s stance on independence is more likely to drive voters who are voting for the Scottish Conservatives than the SNP, a new poll has found. [Article Image]( [These are the ten areas in Scotland with the lowest coronavirus rates between April 25 and May 1]( Scottish government data shows a breakdown of coronavirus rates according to area over a seven day period. [Article Image]( [Here are the vital issues to be decided in the Scottish election that remain on a knife-edge – Professor John Curtice]( In many ways, the likely outcome of the election is crystal clear. The SNP will emerge as by far the largest party at Holyrood and, consequently, Nicola Sturgeon will be re-elected as First Minister. [Article Image]( [Calls for help for Scottish communities at risk of being surrounded by a ‘ring of steel’ wind turbines]( Scottish communities are becoming “overwhelmed” by applications for wind farms and feel increasingly powerless to fight against them, campaigners have warned. [Article Image]( [This is how you can vote in the Scottish election - and where your nearest polling station is]( The deadline for registering for a postal vote has now passed but you can still go down to the polls on Scotland’s election day to cast your ballot [Article Image]( [‘The Scottish Government has the power to fix this’: Opposition parties round on ‘glacial’ pace of SNP education reforms]( Opposition parties have rounded on the SNP’s “shameful” performance on education in the final virtual election hustings held by The Scotsman, accusing Nicola Sturgeon’s party of closing the attainment gap at a “glacial” pace. [Article Image]( [A Scottish council area could remain in level three restrictions past mid-May, says public health expert]( A senior public health expert has said that level three covid restrictions could remain in Moray past mid-May if infection rates do not come down. [Dave Lewis]( [How Napoleon took Scottish poetry into battle revealed on 200-year anniversary of his death]( October 1815. HMS Northumberland has just delivered Napoleon to his final exile on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena. [Dave Lewis]( [Protest and remembrance artwork for the victims of Covid-19 to go on exhibition in Edinburgh gallery]( An artwork that has been created as an act of protest and remembrance for those who lost their lives to Covid will go on display at the Concrete Block Gallery from May 15-16. [View more news]( You have received this email as you are opted in to newsletters from The Scotsman, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. 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