A MAJORITY of Scots are “dismayed” at Boris Johnson entering No10 — with the new PM disliked here more than anywhere else in Britain.
The findings emerged from a snap poll on his landslide Tory leadership win thanks to the backing of 92,000 party members.
But the YouGov survey showed just 15 per cent of Scots were “delighted” or “pleased” with the result — while a huge 54 per cent were “dismayed”.
Disapproval of Theresa May’s replacement outweighed approval in every region of Britain — but was highest north of the border.
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Nat MSP Keith Brown insisted it was “little wonder” Scots are resentful at having Mr Johnson’s premiership “foisted upon” them as the hardline Brexiteer vowed to quit the EU “do or die” on October 31 — even if it’s a No Deal exit.
Mr Brown said: “He’s pursuing an agenda which is against Scotland’s interests, which would drag us out of the EU against our will and cause serious damage to our economy.
“Boris Johnson would wilfully make each and every one of us £2,300 worse off overnight, and end our freedom to live, work, trade and travel across Europe. To add insult to injury, he’s Prime Minister with the approval of just 0.14 per cent of voters.”
The SNP No2 said Scots must be given the opportunity to “reject both Boris Johnson and a No Deal Brexit” with an indy vote.
He added: “With independence we can put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”
After Mr Johnson was confirmed as Tory leader on Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon said she could “accelerate” her timetable for indy and expressed “profound concern” over his appointment.
But Scots Tory boss Ruth Davidson mocked the First Minister for using Mr Johnson in Downing Street as an excuse to trigger a second poll “in the same way her husband burning the toast would be”.
Tory MSP Annie Wells said Nats were “resembling golf club bores” with their “relentless and predictable droning on” for a referendum.
She said: “Nicola Sturgeon should be using the arrival of a new Prime Minister as a way of helping Scotland thrive within the UK. Instead, she’s being her opportunistic self and banging the drum for another unwanted and divisive referendum.”
The YouGov poll showed London — where Mr Johnson was Mayor from 2008 to 2016 — was the second-most disapproving region of Britain to him entering No10.
Londoners gave him a net popularity score — the difference between positive and negative responses — of -32. In the Midlands, Wales and the North of England he scored -16, and the rest of the South of England -12.
It compared to a dire popularity rating of -45 in Scotland. Scots are also most keen on Mr Johnson calling an immediate General Election — with 49 per cent for the idea, and 32 per cent against.
However polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice warned a Westminster vote in the very near future would result in a “deeply hung parliament” that would put both the Tories and Labour on only 260 to 270 seats each, far short of a Commons majority of 326.
However, the Strathclyde Uni expert added that such a result would give Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn “more options” as he could do a deal with either the SNP or the Lib Dems — while the “only friends” the Conservatives have are Northern Ireland’s DUP and “whatever Brexit Party MPs there are”.
Sir John said the backlash to Mr Johnson’s premiership in Scotland was predictable as his popularity lies among those who backed Brexit.
He said: “He is a polarising character. He is disliked by Remainers intently — 86 per cent of Remainers have an unfavourable view of Boris Johnson.
“Given Scotland is dominated by Remainers we shouldn’t be surprised that Boris Johnson isn’t very popular in Scotland — the same is true of London.”
A Panelbase poll in June suggested Mr Johnson’s presence in No10 would boost support for independence, with 53 per cent saying they would vote Yes in another referendum if he became PM.
Sir John said that while Mr Johnson’s leadership of the UK Tory party could strengthen calls to break up the Union, it would not automatically mean plummeting support for the Scottish Conservatives.
He added: “Ruth Davidson’s success in 2016 rested on winning over Leave voters. Therefore the Scottish Conservatives have gone down in exactly the same way the party has south of the border in the wake of the failure to deliver Brexit.
“It could still be true that if Boris Johnson delivers Brexit it would be good for the Scottish Conservatives, but not necessarily good for support for the Union — because these two things don’t necessarily go together.
“What he does in the next two months is going to be crucial for the Union.”
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Mr Johnson is understood to be preparing to launch a “charm offensive” in Scotland as he looks to make “strengthening the Union” and securing a Brexit deal his top priorities.
The PM is expected to make a speech north of the border in his first fortnight in office and may meet Ms Sturgeon.
Mr Johnson previously sparked fury with his views over the way Holyrood is allocated funding from Westminster, branding the Barnett Formula “a present” from English taxpayers.
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