GRAY BLUNDERS ON SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE.

GRAY BLUNDERS ON SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE.

WESTMINSTER'S £505 MILLION CUTS WILL INCREASE SUPPORT FURTHER

Responding to Iain Gray's claim at FMQs today that no opinion poll had shown support for Scottish independence the SNP published a list of opinion polls going back over 17 years showing how completely wrong he was.

Commenting on Iain Gray's blunder Alasdair Allan MSP said:

"This is extremely embarrassing for Iain Gray. It only reminds people of his notorious interview on Newsnight where he made a fool of himself over Wendy Alexander's position on a referendum.

"He has made a fundamental blunder with this claim. He is completely out of his depth.

"The fact is at least 17 opinion polls over the last 17 years have shown clear support for Scottish independence. What is encouraging is that the frequency of these polls is increasing.

"And as Labour will be haunted daily between now and the election by the prospect of £505 million in Westminster-inspired cuts in Scottish spending that support will increase further as people see the bad deal Scotland gets from Westminster.

"As Sunday's poll shows support for independence is rising as the SNP deliver good government by freezing council tax, reducing business rates, abolishing prescription charges and delivering a record number of police officers.

"In August 2007, the gap between independence and unequal London control was 15 points; by last November it had halved to just 8 points; and now independence is running neck and neck with the status quo. The trend is towards independence.

"The SNP have a solid lead over Labour, and the case for independence and equality for Scotland is moving forward.

"The SNP Government will bring forward a Bill in 2010 for a referendum, and challenge the London parties not to stand in the way of the people's right to choose Scotland's future."