A recent opinion poll showing Scottish Labour in second place should be taken with a touch of caution, a leading pollster has said.
Allan Faulds, from Ballot Box Scotland, said Anas Sarwar may be "heartened" that his party is ahead of the Tories in the latest Survation poll.
According to the poll, which had 1,011 respondents and was conducted for Scotland in Union, support for the SNP has dipped by six per cent compared to a survey carried out three weeks ago.
It showed the SNP are on 46 per cent, while Labour are on 23 per cent, the Conservatives on 21 per cent and the Lib Dems on eight per cent.
It's the first time since 2019 a survey has predicted the SNP may lose seats at the upcoming election on May 6.
However with gains for the Scottish Greens there would be an over pro-Independence majority in the Holyrood chamber.
Conducted between March 9 and 12, the poll shows the SNP is also top of the regional vote on 39 per cent, however the Tories would come second on 21 per cent.
Allan Faulds, from Ballot Box Scotland, said: "After a year of soaring polling figures, the SNP are on a downward trend.
"This is the first poll since 2019 to suggest they may lose seats, though gains for the Greens would maintain the overall pro-Independence majority.
"Nonetheless, the SNP hold a substantial lead over their nearest rivals, who continue to battle for second.
"New Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar may be heartened his party are ahead of the Conservatives here – but a note of caution.
"Recent Survation polls have the parties in a dead heat, whereas the other five pollsters still have Labour 2-3% behind."
