SCOTLAND NEEDS CHAMPIONS

SCOTLAND NEEDS CHAMPIONS

SNP GATHER FOR CONFERENCE - VOTE STATS SHOW SEISMIC SHIFT IN SCOTTISH
POLITICS

SNP NECK & NECK WITH LABOUR IN REAL VOTES OVER 5 YEARS

As the SNP head to spring conference in Aviemore and into the General
Election campaign SNP candidates, MPs, MSPs and councillors are working
hard to support their communities and to champion their concerns as new
research shows that voters are backing the SNP in increasing numbers.

The research, which looks at all elections in Scotland since the last
Westminster campaign in 2005 shows the seismic shift that has taken place
in Scottish politics with 135,00 more votes cast since 2005 for the SNP
than any other party in Scotland.

Of the 7.4 million votes cast in Scotland since the last Westminster
election the SNP earned the support of 31% or 2.3 million votes with
Labour receiving only 2.17 million (29%) votes.

Speaking ahead of the conference gathering SNP Business Convener and
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford said the party was on a firm footing to fight
the coming election campaign.

“At the last two major elections and over the last five years Scotland’s
voters have rejected the metropolitan politicians’ machine in favour of
local candidates who will champion their concerns.

“As Scotland’s party we go into this campaign with that same promise to
voters that as local and national champions we will put their interests
first.

"The SNP is going into conference and into the General Election campaign
from our strongest ever point as we continue to work hard to earn the
support of the people of Scotland.

“At conference we will set out key areas where local SNP candidates and
MPs will fight for Scotland’s and their constituents interests – on fair
fuel prices, on protecting Scotland from Labour and Tory cuts, supporting
our businesses and ensuring we can access the resources to create
thousands of new jobs across our nation.

“Importantly our local representatives will be listening to Scotland’s
people to work alongside them and champion their causes, not lecturing or
deciding for them.

Commenting on the change in Scottish politics over the last five years Mr
Crawford added:

“There has been a seismic shift in Scottish politics. Voters are no longer
faced with the one party machine favoured by the politicians in
Westminster. Over the last five years Scotland’s voters made their choice
clear, they have rejected typical London politicians and voted for
something different with the SNP in Holyrood, in Europe and in their
communities.

“As Scotland faces another election the Westminster expenses scandals,
banker’s bonuses and illegal wars have all taken their toll on a tolerant
public. Voters have watched banks be bailed out while the victims of
Farepack and Globespan struggled to reclaim a penny and local services are
forced to come to terms with £800 million of Westminster cuts.

“At this election there is a real opportunity for Scottish voters to not
just elect another Westminster politician who will serve themselves
instead of serving the community but to elect a local and national
champion who will always put their interests first.”


1. Analysis of all votes cast between 2005 and present day shows

SNP - 2,308,119 votes cast since 2005 - (31%)
Labour - 2,172,665 votes cast since 2005 - (29%)
Tory - 1,166,851 votes cast since 2005 - (16%)
LibDem - 990,518 votes cast since 2005 - (13%)
Others - 833,761 votes cast since 2005 - (11%)

2. The votes are the accumulated totals of all elections held in Scotland
since the 2005 Westminster election. They include:

• The 2007 Scottish Parliamentary elections
• The 2007 Scottish Council elections
• The 2009 European elections
• All Scottish and Westminster Parliamentary by-elections since 2005
(Livingston, Cathcart, Moray, Dunfermline W, Glasgow E, Glenrothes,
Glasgow NE)
• All First-Past-the-Post Council by-elections in 2005 and 2006
• All 1st Preference votes in STV Council by-elections since 2007