POLLING DATA SHOW SNP LEADS WHOEVER IS LABOUR LEADER

POLLING DATA SHOW SNP LEADS WHOEVER IS LABOUR LEADER

SNP’s POSITIVE AGENDA WINS SUPPORT

Following the SNP’s emphatic victory in the European elections the party has highlighted polling data by ComRes which shows that the SNP would lead regardless who replaced Gordon Brown as Labour leader. Seven other alternative Labour leaders were presented to voters and in all cases voters in Scotland c a me out in favour of the SNP.

At the European elections the SNP secured a 10 point surge since the last European election – the biggest vote increase in the history of the European elections in Scotland, and one of the largest increases in any Scottish election.

The swing from Labour – at nearly 8% to the SNP – was the biggest in Scotland anywhere in the UK, and double the swing from Labour to the Tories UK-wide.

Commenting on the polling information Ms Sturgeon said:

“With the SNP’s emphatic victory in the European elections these figures show how it is the SNP’s positive agenda which is winning support in Scotland. Regardless of who is Labour leader it is the SNP coming out tops.

“The SNP are the party of government in Scotland. Our victory in the European election is a positive endorsement of the SNP and a positive vote for our record in government.

“We were the only party in the UK to record a major advance at the expense of Labour with the SNP vote surging by 10 points. It was the biggest swing from Labour anywhere in the UK, and double the swing from Labour to the Tories UK-wide.

“The SNP fared far better not just than the discredited Westminster government, but better than governing parties across Europe. And along with Labour, the Tories and LibDems also declined in Scotland.

“The people of Scotland like what they are getting from the SNP Government – action on jobs to fight recession, a Council Tax freeze, business rates cuts, and record police numbers. In return they delivered a positive vote on that basis.

“The people of Scotland want a strong Scottish voice to protect and promote our interests, which is why the SNP won this election, and why we have the opportunity to deliver a block of 20 or more SNP MPs at the next election.”