SNP TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED AS PARTY ENDS YEAR ON ELECTORAL HIGH

SNP TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED AS PARTY ENDS YEAR ON ELECTORAL HIGH

PARTY SECURES MOST VOTES ACROSS SCOTLAND THROUGHOUT 2009

10% SWING FROM LABOUR ON 4-PARTY SPLIT

Analysis of all elections held throughout 2009 – totalling nearly 1 million votes from the European Parliament and Westminster and local by-elections - has shown that the SNP secured the most votes of any party in Scotland and enjoyed a 10% swing from Labour on a 4-way party split.

The cumulative votes for all 4 main parties in all election throughout the length and breadth of Scotland was as follows.

Party: Votes - % (% Change from 2007)

SNP: 323,394 - 36% (+12%)

Labour: 245,047 - 27% (-8%)

Tory: 203,443 - 22% (-2%)

LibDem: 134,188 - 15% (-2%)

This equals a 10% swing from Labour to the SNP on the basis of the previous elections and sets the SNP up well for the approaching Westminster elections.

Commenting SNP Business Convener and Parliament Minister Bruce Crawford said:

"We are taking nothing for granted in 2010 with a UK general election definitely on the cards.

"We are ready and prepared for that challenge and these statistics are an encouraging springboard for that campaign.

"The coming Westminster election will be a clear two-way contest between the SNP and Labour and these figures show we can win that contest.

"With the phoney war between Labour and Tory showing both London parties determined to cut Scottish public spending and threaten the creation of new jobs it is clear the real fight is for Scotland where only a vote for the SNP can put Scotland’s priorities first."