LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS SHOW SWING TO SNP IS INCREASING

LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS SHOW SWING TO SNP IS INCREASING

LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS SHOW SWING TO SNP IS INCREASING

Further analysis of local council by-elections shows that the swing to the SNP from Labour has more doubled between the by-elections held in 2007 and the last 4 by-elections held in 2008.

In 2007 the SNP enjoyed a swing of 2.1% in all three local by-elections held in that year. This compares to a swing of 5.1% to the SNP from Labour in the last four by-elections held in the final two months of 2008.

Commenting on the analysis the SNP's Business Convener and Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"These are fantastic figures for the SNP. For the swing from Labour to the SNP to increase shows that trust in the party is increasing, whilst voters have seen right through Gordon Brown's absurd claims to have saved the world. The reality is that Labour are destroying jobs in Scotland, and they have lost ground since the publication of the Pre-Budget Report and its proposed £1 billion cut to Scotland's budget.

"That the swing to the SNP is greater in supposed areas of Labour strength further shows that we are breathing down their necks in what used to be their heartlands. And that the swing is INCREASING from 2007 when the SNP ended Labour's dominance in Scottish politics shows that Labour's position in Scotland is still getting weaker, and the SNP are moving even further forward from our high point in May 2007.

"Voters like what the SNP are delivering and have serious doubts about London Labour's plans – particularly their threat of a massive £1 billion cut in Scotland's budget.

"And it will be SNP success in next year's European elections – and in the General Election to come – that will stop Labour's planned £1 billion cuts to Scotland's budget in their tracks."