The former SNP leader and Scottish First Minister is vying to scoop a “supermajority” for independence but research shows his group would struggle to gain a single seat in parliament. The poll carried out by Survation for DC Thomson newspapers found dismal support for Mr Salmond’s comeback party which he launched last Friday.
In the first polling research into the party, just three percent of respondents said they would vote for Alba seven in 10 (71 percent) said they viewed Mr Salmond unfavourably.
Just over half of those surveyed said they believed he was “hindering” the independence cause with his political ambitions.
This shows widespread scepticism of Mr Salmond’s claim that his new party could “assist” efforts to take Scotland out of the UK by allowing more MSPs who are sympathetic to the cause to be elected through the regional list system.
Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said there was no denying the sheer lack of support of Mr Salmond.
He told the Courier: “It looks as though it’s all over for Salmond, though he might just get a seat in the north-east himself.
“But this is not what he needs if he is going to get his campaign to take off.”
Nearly half (49 percent) said they would give Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP their support.
The survey is the first to examine the potential impact of Alba as Scots prepare to go to the ballot box.
READ MORE: German minister refuses AstraZeneca jab – ‘Won’t be patronised!’
It is estimated that the results would put Ms Sturgeon’s nationalist party on the road to securing a majority.
The SNP are projected to take 66 seats, with Labour on 24, the Conservatives 21, Greens 11 and Lib Dems seven.
Responding to the poll results, the Scottish Tories said only they “have the strength to stop an SNP majority” and “push for another independence referendum.”
A spokesman said Alba was “trying to game the system for an independence super-majority and they must be stopped.”
But an Alba spokesperson appeared defiant, saying support can only increase for the week-old party.
They said: “These early indications put Alba within touching distance of representation across Scotland.
“With five weeks still to go Alba’s support can only grow as we approach polling day.
“It is worth noting that Alba has already achieved, in three days, approaching half the level of support of the Liberal Democrats, a party which has existed for over a century.”
The Scottish parliamentary elections are due to be held on May 6.
Additional reporting by Tom Martin.
