YOUGOV POLL SHOWS SNP SUPPORT INCREASING.

YOUGOV POLL SHOWS SNP SUPPORT INCREASING. SALMOND APPROVAL RATINGS MORE THAN OPPOSITION PUT TOGETHER SNP Business Convener and Westminster leader, Angus Robertson MP, has welcomed today’s YouGov poll in the Sunday Times, highlighting excellent approval ratings for First Minister Alex Salmond, and continued support for a referendum. Mr Robertson said: “This is an encouraging poll for the SNP as it shows that we have increased our support for the constituency voting intentions at Holyrood by two per cent since the election in May 2007 and remain ahead of the Labour party. “It is unusual for a government’s popularity to increase as it approaches mid-term, but that is the case for this SNP Government. “It is also excellent news for the SNP that the approval ratings for the First Minister Alex Salmond remain higher than for all the other party leaders put together. “As last week’s stunning by-election win in Dundee proves the SNP is continuing to defeat Labour at the ballot box and increase our share of the vote while doing so. “With 57 per cent in favour of holding a referendum, it is clear that an overwhelming majority of the people of Scotland want to have the right to choose their future. “The fundamental democratic right to determine our constitutional future is enthusiastically endorsed in every poll, but as far as the question on the timing of the referendum is concerned, it is clearly a skewed question and therefore the results are not surprising. “It is also hugely encouraging that an analysis of Westminster polls from 6 February to 8 March shows the SNP have a three point lead over Labour, and that support for independence has risen by four points since the last YouGov poll in January, while opposition to independence has fallen by 2 points. “Only by acquiring more responsibility over areas like borrowing and taxation will Scotland be able to properly compete with other nations and have the full range of tools at hand to tackle the economic downturn.”