SNP FOCUS ON WESTMINSTER SUCCESS AFTER HISTORIC EURO WIN.

SNP FOCUS ON WESTMINSTER SUCCESS AFTER HISTORIC EURO WIN.


"SNP THE CLEAR NATIONAL PARTY OF SCOTLAND"

The SNP’s historic victory in the European Elections will act as a springboard to success at the General Election candidates and activists gathered at the SNP National Council in Perth heard today (Saturday).

SNP Westminster leader and party Business Convener Angus Robertson MP said the party would combine its position as the national party of Scotland and positive record in government to return more SNP MPs to Westminster, and stop Labour and Tory spending cuts in their tracks.

The European Election results showed the SNP had won the popular vote in 22 out of Scotland's 32 council areas, capturing key areas including Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling and South Lanarkshire. The SNP would win 27 seats if this result was repeated at a Westminster election.

Mr Robertson said:

“Everyone knows that we are the Scottish National Party, but the European election results show that by any definition we are the national party of Scotland. The SNP were successful all over Scotland, we represent Scotland in all its diversity, and day in day out we work to protect and promote all Scottish interests.

“North, south, east and west - the SNP are winning all across Scotland - including in Alistair Darling’s seat, in Iain Gray’s seat, and we even beat Labour into third place in Jim Murphy’s seat. Labour MPs at Westminster are right to look worried, their jaikets are on shoogly pegs!

“For the first time ever, we have won a UK-wide election in Scotland, and with a greater margin of victory than even the Holyrood win two years ago.

“The European Elections were very much a contest between two governments – the SNP in Scotland, and Labour at Westminster – the people of Scotland have delivered a massive vote of confidence in the SNP Government, and a massive rejection of Labour.

“People in Scotland like what they are getting from the SNP government – action to fight recession, the Council Tax freeze, business rates cuts, and record police numbers – and delivered a positive vote on that basis.

“And they want a strong Scottish voice to stand up for our interests, which is why the SNP have the opportunity to deliver a block of 20 or more SNP MPs at the next General Election.

“It has never been more important that we send more SNP MPs to Westminster because, like peas in a pod, Labour and the Tories plan damaging spending cuts for Scotland - even as Scottish oil revenues swell the Treasury's coffers by 30 billion pounds over the next five years. SNP success at the General Election can stop the Westminster cuts in their tracks.

“We had what it takes to win the European elections, and as the party of and for all of Scotland we've got what it takes to win at the next General Election too.”