The Scottish National party has lost its lead over Labour at Holyrood for the first time since the election, with most voters opposed to Alex Salmond’s plan for an independence referendum next year.

A YouGov survey for The Sunday Times nudges Labour ahead of the nationalists for the first time in two years.

If the figures were to be replicated at a Scottish election, Labour would have a five seat lead.

The poll also shows a clear majority of Scots believe that Alex Salmond has misjudged the mood by planning a vote on separatism at the height of a recession.

While Salmond’s personal popularity remains high, his determination to press ahead with the referendum, coupled with his failure to push through manifesto commitments, have led to a slump in support for his government.

The poll of 1,380 adults last week put the SNP on 35% in the constituency vote, with Labour on 34%, but on the regional vote Labour is on 32% and the SNP 30%.

It would give Labour 49 seats (+3), the SNP 44 (-3), the Tories 18 (+1), Lib Dems 15 (-1) and Greens three (+1).

When YouGov last polled at the end of January, the SNP had a six point lead in both votes. Labour remains on 37% and the SNP on 27% for Westminster. Labour is on course to secure the largest vote (36%) in June’s European elections, with the SNP on 29%, Tories on 18%, Lib Dems on 11% and others on 6%.

In August 2007, 74% of Scots told YouGov they supported an independence referendum in principle. That has now fallen to 57%, with 29% opposed to the idea.

Only 32% believe it would be appropriate to stage the referendum next year in view of the recession, with 53% against. If a referendum were held tomorrow, 33% said they would support independence while 53% would oppose it.

Opposition parties wasted no time in hailing the results as a clear indication that the wheels have come off the nationalist bandwagon.

“This is a devastating blow for Alex Salmond’s plans for a referendum in 2010,” said Murdo Fraser, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives. “Until now his argument in favour was that the great majority of the public wanted it. This poll decisively destroys that argument. This is a government that has run out of ideas and run out of steam.”

John Park, the Labour MSP, said: “The public are losing faith in the SNP because they have failed to deliver anything they promised.

“The SNP’s flagship policy is clearly now in tatters. If they are really in touch with people in Scotland they will now ditch the referendum because clearly there is no mood for it.

“The Scottish parliament should be concentrating on making sure that people areprotected and supported through the current economic situation.”

The poll found that the recession has left one in three Scots fearing for their job and less likely to make even relatively modest purchases and most voters believe the downturn will last between three and five years.

While Labour has closed the gap on the SNP, there is little sign that Iain Gray, Wendy Alexander’s successor as party leader, is going down well with voters. Asked who would make the best first minister, 36% said Salmond while just 17% opted for Gray.

Annabel Goldie, the Scottish Tory leader, is the first choice of 11%, Tavish Scott, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, is favoured by 6% and Patrick Harvie, the Green leader, is backed by only 1%.

While the Conservatives will be disappointed with Goldie’s personal ratings they are hopeful of sending more Scottish MPs to the Commons at the next general election, after the poll showed their Westminster support is holding up at 20%.

Yesterday Michael Russell, the SNP’s constitution minister, said the current economic circumstances made the case for Scotland having more say in its own affairs even more urgent and compelling.

“Only by acquiring more responsibility over things like borrowing and taxation will Scotland be able to properly compete with other nations and have the full range of tools at hand to tackle the economic downturn,” he said.

The survey also found that voters are unhappy with Scottish government plans to curb the sale of cheap alcohol, with the introduction of minimum pricing and a ban on two for one offers in supermarkets. The idea is opposed by 55% of voters and only supported by 40%.

However, former plans to target younger drinkers by placing a duty on local licensing boards to consider raising the age for buying alcohol over the counter from 18 to 21 are proving popular, backed by 59% and only opposed by 37%.

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