SNP LARGEST PARTY AS LABOUR MISPLACE 7000 MEMBERS

For immediate use: Monday 27th September 2010

Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS
LEADERSHIP RESULT GIVES GRAY'S NUMBERS GAME AWAY

The SNP has the support of a higher number of members after Labour's
leadership campaign gave away their misleading claims over Sottish Party
membership.

Labour has been overstating party membership in Scotland by up to 7000
members.

A breakdown of Constituency Labour party members in the leadership ballot
showed only 13,135 members despite the party claiming at the Scottish
hustings in June to have 20,133 members .  Anyone registered with the
party by 8th September was entitled to a vote – leading to questions over
Labour’s 7000 missing members.

With SNP membership in June standing at 15,945 as it continues to increase
steadily from 10,854 in 2004 the SNP is now the party with the highest
membership support in Scotland.

On the day Iain Gray speaks to Labour’s UK conference he now face serious
questions as to whether they were making membership numbers up.

SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford MSP

“With the SNP now the largest party in Scotland the political tide has
really turned.

"Unfortunately for Iain Gray the publication of the full UK result for
Labour’s leadership contest has given the game away. The Scottish Labour
leader has been left exposed by this blunder by Labour HQ. Iain Gray was
either making membership numbers up or Scottish Labour has lost 7000
members in the last 3 months.  Labour’s new leader is in for a real
disappointment.

“Every one of the SNP’s 15,945 members plays their part in our efforts to
make Scotland a better country and every one of them is an essential part
of the SNP’s success.   Membership of the SNP has continued to increase
from our historic election win in 2007 as people across Scotland recognise
that it is the SNP that has the values and priorities of the Scottish
public at its heart.

“The SNP's team has worked with people, communities and businesses to put
Scotland’s economy, environment, schools and hospitals first, and more and
more people have joined the party as a contribution to making Scotland a
better country with the full responsibilities of independence. 
Responsibilities that will allow us to build a strong economy, properly
invest in our young people and deliver better support for our elderly.

“A new leader should be an opportunity for Labour to leave its con tricks
and spin machine behind it.  So far the prospects don’t look good.”

ENDS

1.Labour claim 20,000 members in Junehttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-hopefuls-gather-for-hustings-1999348.html

2.       Breakdown of CLPs and membership by number of ballots sent.http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-clps

3.       Attached – Scottish CLPs – detailing votes, ballots returned and
the number of ballots sent out in each of Labour’s 60 Constituency

4.       Labour leadership FAQS confirm any one who was a member by Sept
8th could vote in the election
.http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-frequently-asked-questions