Exclusive: Around half of UK Labour voters would support deal with SNP

Nearly a third of Labour voters across the UK would like the SNP to reach a ‘supply and demand’ deal with the SNP in the event of a hung parliament, while over 15 per cent would like to see a formal coalition, according to new polling.

The survey, carried out by BMG research, found those planning to vote for Labour are divided over the issue, with 31 per cent keen for a confidence and supply deal if no party wins a majority, and 32.2 per cent opposed to the SNP playing in any role in assisting Ed Miliband’s party.

Excluding ‘don’t knows’, support for a formal coalition with the SNP among Labour voters rose to 19.5 per cent, with 39.1 per cent in favour of a looser deal.

Meanwhile 27.1 per cent of voters in London support an informal deal with the SNP, with 17.6 per cent in favour of a formal coalition.

Among Conservative voters, 20.4 per cent were in favour of the SNP assisting a government formally or informally, while 38 per cent of Liberal Democrat voters approved of the idea.

Geographically, support for the SNP playing a role in government was higher in London than elsewhere, with 21.3 per cent of voters in England keen for a confidence supply deal, and 48.4 per cent opposed to the SNP playing any role.  

Voters in Scotland were divided over their preferred role for the SNP in the event of a hung parliament, with 29.6 per cent stating a preference for the party to join a formal coalition, 28.8 per cent voicing support for a looser confidence supply deal, and 24.1 per cent saying they did not want the SNP to play any role in assisting the governing party.

The polling was carried out between 25 and 27 April 2015, after the SNP were included in general election TV debates.

However 37 per cent of voters said the debates had no effect on how they will vote at all, with 18.6 per cent saying they served to confirm their original choice. Just 7.5 per cent of voters said they changed their mind on the basis of the TV debate.

The poll also asked voters to choose who they thought would make the best Prime Minister from a list.

Around a third (34 per cent) said David Cameron, 19.9 per cent chose Ed Miliband, with 12.6 per cent eschewing either in favour of Prince William.

Nick Clegg drew less support, on 6.1 per cent, than controversial television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, 8.8 per cent, and celebrity baker Mary Berry, who 7 per cent of respondents said would make the best Prime Minister.