SNP voters were asked to compare Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond’s leadership in a new poll for The Times.

The YouGov poll results showed voters who support the SNP – and those who back other parties – see Sturgeon as the better first minister.

Among voters in general, 5% backed Salmond compared with 60% who felt Sturgeon had been a better leader. About 8% said the two had equally good records, while 20% said neither performed well.

Among SNP voters, just 3% backed Salmond while 83% backed Sturgeon. About 11% said they had performed equally well, and 1% said neither had done a good job.

READ MORE: Influential activist Julie Hepburn says SNP must make 2021 about indy

But last month, a poll carried out for the Wings Over Scotland website found 26% of voters would definitely or probably give their list vote to a party led by the former first minister.

The research conducted by Panelbase said 45% of Yes voters would definitely or probably vote for such a party.

The research was hypothetical as Salmond has not said he would set up his own party.  

The YouGov figures come after this week’s poll from the firm put Sturgeon’s approval rating at +50, up 45 points on last year. Meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson was at -50, a decrease of 16 points.

The survey also put support for independence at 53%, following two Panelbase polls putting Yes at 54%.

Writing in today’s National, Julie Hepburn, an influential activist, calls on the SNP to make next year’s manifesto a “manifesto for independence”.

She calls on Sturgeon to talk a “completely different approach” to the campaign “in order to put independence front-and-centre next May”.

She writes: “Independence is the reason the SNP exists. It should be the focus of our election campaign. The election will be a de facto referendum on independence anyway, so let’s grasp that opportunity to make the positive case.”