SWING TO SNP IN EAST AYRSHIRE BY-ELECTION

SWING TO SNP IN EAST AYRSHIRE BY-ELECTION

SWING TO SNP IN EAST AYRSHIRE BY-ELECTION

Commenting on the result of the Ballochmyle by-election in East Ayrshire where the SNP achieved a 4.2% swing from Labour the SNP's Business Convener Angus Robertson MP said:

"This is a very encouraging and solid performance for the SNP. May 2007 was a historic high point for the SNP with our best ever national result yet.

"To build on that in a council run by the SNP shows there is increasing confidence in the party and our council administration. It is a highly satisfactory result for the administration in East Ayrshire.

"It must be very discouraging for Labour that their support has fallen back from that election in what was their first national defeat in 50 years. This was the seat of the previous Labour council leader and to have fallen back must be a disappointment for them.

"That Labour cannot lift themselves up from that low point despite their claims of 'leading the world' casts a serious question over the so-called 'Brown bounce'."