VOTERS URGED TO MAKE SCOTLAND’S VOICE HEARD IN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS.

VOTERS URGED TO MAKE SCOTLAND’S VOICE HEARD IN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS.

ON JUNE 4TH: SCOTLAND DEMANDS A GENERAL ELECTION.

The SNP today (Monday) urged voters to make Scotland’s voice heard at next week’s European elections with a vote for a strong voice in Europe and a demand for an early General Election.

With an opinion poll showing two thirds of Scots want an early general election, SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP launched the SNP’s European manifesto with a commitment to protect Scotland’s jobs, to boost investment and a call for voters to use their opportunity on June 4th to demand an early General Election.

Launching the manifesto on the banks of the Clyde, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “By voting SNP, next week’s election is an opportunity for people to give Scotland a strong voice in Europe - and demand an early General Election. “The SNP in Government and in Europe is focused on protecting Scotland’s jobs and working with communities to secure a strong economic recovery. “While we are working together to create investment in jobs, training and new construction, the UK Government has become mired in controversy.

The whole Westminster system has ground to a halt. “Next week’s election is an opportunity for voters to shake up London Labour with a vote for the SNP to give Scotland a strong voice in Europe and send a message to London that it’s time for a general election.”

SNP MEP and Party President Ian Hudghton added; “It is SNP MEPs, if elected next week, who will work to protect Scotland’s jobs and to boost our economic recovery. “A vote for the SNP in the European elections can unlock £150 million of investment for our green energy industries.

Together we can turn the resounding 'No' from London Labour into a 'Yes' and create jobs across Scotland. “SNP MEPs will work in partnership with the Scottish Government to fight for new jobs in green industries, to protect traditional jobs in fishing, farming and manufacturing and to see investment from the Europe head straight into Scottish business through a Scottish Investment Bank. “Working together with the Scottish Government, our business sector, voluntary organisations and communities across the country we’ve got what it takes to ensure Scotland is heard at the heart of Europe.”

More info,

1. The SNP’s European Manifesto can be downloaded from www.snp.org

2. Mail on Sunday/ Progressive Scottish Opinion poll of 650 people between Monday 15th and Thursday 20th May Asked if following the expenses scandal should the Westminster Parliament be dissolved Yes 60% No 27% DK 13%

3. Our Priorities in Europe, set out in the Manifesto (p3)

include

• Protecting Scottish Jobs; We will invest £190 million from the European Regional Development Fund to support economic recovery with a particular focus on protecting and creating jobs

• Focused on Recovery; The SNP will take forward proposals to allow investment from the European Investment Banks to support growing Scottish Businesses in partnership with the Scottish Investment Bank

• Working in Partnership; By Working with the EU, our proposal for a North Sea Supergrid has now become one of the European Commission’s priority projects and the SNP will continue to work to ensure that our nation is a lead partner in this work, bringing jobs and new opportunities for Scotland.

• Supporting the Scottish Government; We will work with the Scottish Government to press Westminster to remove the barriers that are currently preventing £150 million of investment in Scottish renewables from the fossil fuel levy.

• Together, we’ve got what it takes: Together, at this election, we can make the UK Government think again on it’s plans to cut Scottish spending and tell them instead to scrap the £5 billion ID cards and plans to waste £100 billion on new nuclear weapons.

4. An analysis of the Scottish samples of European election polls taken since the European campaign shows that the contest is a clear two horse race between the SNP and Labour – with the early indications showing the SNP ahead.

After four polls taken between the 7th and 16th of May where a total of 771 people in Scotland were polled – the combined results are as follows:

SNP - 37%
Labour - 25%
Tory - 17%
LibDem - 12%
UKIP - 3%
Green - 3%
Other - 4%

YouGov/Sunday Times - 7th-8th May 2009, Times/Populus - 8th-10th May 2009 YouGov/The Sun - 13th-14th May 2009, YouGov/Telegraph - 14th - 16th May 2009 .