LONDON: The pro-independence Scottish National Party is set to dominate Scotland in the United Kingdom general election in May, according to a poll out Sunday, potentially giving it the balance of power.

The ICM poll in The Guardian newspaper put the SNP, which wants Scotland to leave the UK, on 43 per cent, which, if reflected at the ballot box, could leave the left-wing party as kingmakers in the London parliament.

It could also severely dent the centre-left opposition Labour Party’s hopes of overtaking Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives and returning to power in the May general election.

The online poll of 1,004 adults put the SNP on 43pc (up from 20pc in the 2010 general election) in Scotland, with Labour on 26pc (down 16pc).

Cameron’s centre-right Tories were on 13pc (down four), with their centrist Liberal Democrat coalition partners on six per cent (down 13).

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2014