SNP BLOODBATH: Sturgeon's team could LOSE key Westminster seats in Independence backlash
NICOLA Sturgeon’s top team in London could face losing nine Westminster seats in an ‘SNP bloodbath’ as the Tories are on target to pick up extra votes north of the border.
Sturgeon: Vote SNP to stop May steamrolling Scotland
The Scottish First Minister could see her plans for independence for Scotland derailed if the Tories see a resurgence in voting.
She has vowed to push her demand for a referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019 - although admitted it will not play a huge role in her election campaign.
Nicola Sturgeon's party could lose nine seats to the Tories
While Tory leader Ruth Davidson revealed she was confident of her party’s chances of increasing its tally of only one MP north of the border over the independence issue.
Now the pair could face a dramatic battle for votes - after a survey revealed the SNP could be facing a political bloodbath in Westminster.
The SNP could lose several seats on June 8
The YouGov survey of 1,017 voters in Scotland points to a surge in support that would take the Conservatives to 28 per cent.
But with a rise in Tory support comes a switch of seats - and it seems the SNP could be the ones to lose out as voters opt to go blue at the ballot box.
The result would be one of the Conservatives’ strongest showings north of the border since the steep decline associated with Margaret Thatcher.
The Yougov poll shows a drop in support for the SNP
Sturgeon vowed the election would not be about independence
And with the Tories on course to increase their Scottish presence at Westminster from one to eight, some of Ms Sturgeon’s top London bodies could lose their seats.
Scottish Conservative candidate for Edinburgh South West Miles Briggs said: “These figures show that people are putting their faith in the Scottish Conservatives right across Scotland.
“They are sick of the SNP’s repeated threat of another independence referendum, and know we’re the only ones who can stop them.
“In constituencies right across Scotland we’ll be fighting for every single vote, and coming after the SNP for these seats.”
In constituencies right across Scotland we’ll be fighting for every single vote, and coming after the SNP for these seats
Deputy leader Angus Robertson is one of several high profile MPs who could be ousted in the vote, after the poll predicted his Moray seat will turn blue on June 8.
Six other seats are likely to switch to the Tories, including Aberdeen South and East Renfrewshire.
The SNP are also expected to lose a further two seats to the Liberal Democrats in East Dunbartonshire and Edinburgh West.
Labour meanwhile are expected to retain their single seat in Edinburgh South, although they could see six over cent less support.
The losses would be a dramatic blow for Nicola Sturgeon and the independence movement, with the SNP on 41 per cent — down nine points from its 2015 general election.
Theresa May could see Tory support soar in Scotland
The party would emerge with 47 seats, nine less than after the last vote two years ago.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “This poll reveals Theresa May is more in touch with people in Scotland than Nicola Sturgeon.
“Last month, Alex Salmond, Angus Robertson and Nicola Sturgeon all arrogantly declared that opposing a second referendum would stoke support for independence.
“In fact, most people in Scotland see the common sense in saying now is not the time for yet another divisive referendum campaign.
“The SNP should show some humility and take its unwanted plan for a referendum off the table immediately.”
The SNP would emerge with 47 seats, nine less than after the last vote two years ago
Davidson blasts Sturgeon for telling 'whopper' on independence
The shift could weaken the First Minister’s push for a second independence referendum - having recently announcing she would use the ballot to bolster her plans for another vote on breaking up Britain.
Ms Sturgeon wants an independence vote as early as autumn 2019 despite Mrs May rejecting the call.
The issue was already expected to dominate next month's council elections but now the battle will be taken to Westminster after Mrs May announced a snap election on June 8 - a move the SNP leader branded a "huge political miscalculation".
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has taken aim at the First Minister’s seats, claiming she aimed to “send a strong message that we oppose the SNP’s divisive plan for a second referendum” in the national contest.