July election date disrespectful to Scotland – Swinney

However, polling expert Sir John Curtice told BBC News that the SNP would “not welcome” the election timing.

He said: “They have just replaced their leader and John Swinney is hoping to turn things around.

“At the moment the party is running about five or six points behind Labour north of the border.

Sir John also said the future did not look bright for the Tories in Scotland, adding that Mr Sunak was “very brave or extremely foolhardy” to call the election now.

He added: “This is an election for Labour to win.”

With support for the SNP at 29% in a recent YouGov poll, its tally of MPs could fall from 43 to 11.

Labour, which has two Scottish MPs, could stand to win 35 seats in Scotland.