VOTERS ACROSS SCOTLAND BACK SNP

VOTERS ACROSS

SCOTLAND

BACK SNP

LOCAL BY-ELECTION ANALYSIS SHOWS SWING TO SNP DOUBLING SINCE 2007

REAL VOTERS BACK SNP ACROSS SCOTLAND.

SNP GAINING VOTES ACROSS ALL OF SCOTLAND

An analysis of all local by-elections in 2009 since the Holyrood elections shows that the swing to the SNP from Labour has more than doubled from the high water mark year of 2007 as the SNP enters its third year in Government.

In 2007 the SNP enjoyed a swing of 2.1% in all three local by-elections held in that year. Now, in 2009, the swing to the SNP from Labour in all by-elections has increased further. With 12 by-elections held in 2009 the SNP has secured a 5.3% swing from Labour.

Commenting on the analysis the SNP's Business Convener and Minister for Parliament, Bruce Crawford MSP said:

"These are excellent results for the SNP. For the swings from Labour to be increasing year on year shows that the people of Scotland support the SNP Government, and back the SNP’s record of delivery.

"For that swing to increase over three years from 2007 when the SNP ended Labour's dominance in Scottish politics shows that Labour's position in Scotland is getting weaker – and that it is the SNP which is moving even further forward from our high point in May 2007.

“People trust the SNP because the SNP trusts the people. The reality is that people like what they get from the SNP – in local communities and across all of Scotland – and they like what the SNP Government is doing by freezing council tax and investing more to help the construction sector.

"Our positive message of confidence in Scotland and the people of Scotland is winning support against the tired old scare mongering and petty politics of the London parties.

"That the swings to the SNP are also greater in supposed areas of Labour strength shows that we are breathing down their necks in what used to be their heartlands and in a strong position as we look toward a General Election and referendum campaign in the year ahead.