SCOTS would much rather see Nicola Sturgeon representing them than Boris Johnson at the upcoming UN climate conference being held in Glasgow, a poll has found.
Opinium surveyed more than 1000 Scots on their voting intentions and attitudes towards a number of politicians between September 2 and 8.
Not only did the polling firm find the SNP have increased their support at Holyrood and Westminster by three and four points respectively to 51%, they uncovered another example of Scots rejected Johnson’s Tory government.
READ MORE: Scotland in Union's latest independence poll questioned by experts
More than half (55%) said Scotland’s First Minister would do a better job at representing the country at the COP26 summit in November, but just 16% felt Johnson was suited to the job.
Overall just 34% felt confident that the Tory leader will put forward the UK’s interests at COP26, as opposed to 56% who said he wouldn’t. A whopping 66% believe he will not put Scotland’s interests forward during the global event.
The SNP have been contacted for comment
On wider attitudes to the climate crisis, Opinium found 40% feel the major conference will make a difference but 43% feel it will not.
Elsewhere the study was the first to put support for independence ahead of support for the Union since the end of April. Backing for Yes was at 51%, with the issue still on a knife-edge among the public.
There was increased support for holding a referendum within the next two years, going from 27% of people backing that idea in May to 31% now.
Opinium found support across Scotland for the new Green-SNP co-operation deal, with 44% of voters believing it is “good news” for the country as opposed to 33% who disagreed.
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay said: “It’s clear that the public see Scottish Greens in government as a positive step for the country. That’s because our cooperation deal reflects their priorities for a green recovery from the pandemic that tackles the climate emergency head on and leaves no-one behind.
“It’s also encouraging to see another poll in favour of independence, in a week when the UK Government has announced a new regressive tax, abandoned refugees and taken climate commitments out of its grubby post-Brexit trade deals.”
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