POLLS SHOWS SNP SETTING ELECTION PACE

For immediate use: Thursday 21st  October 2010

Attn: NEWSDESKS

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS

VOTERS ACCEPTING INVITATION TO BE PART OF BETTER

The SNP has significantly closed the gap on Labour following the launch of

the party's 2011 election campaign at its annual conference last weekend.

In a Yougov poll published in the Scotsman of 1,405 people across Scotland

 taken  between the 18th and 20th October, just after SNP conference the

party saw its share of the Holyrood vote increase by 5 points across both

constituency and regional vote.

Labour’s vote has flat lined and the Lib Dems vote crumbled to its lowest

level in over 9 years as people across Scotland chose to work together

with the SNP to make Scotland better.

The SNP is polling at a higher level than at the same time prior to the

2007 election.  Since September the SNP vote has increased to 34% of the

constituency vote and 31% of the regional vote – a 5% increase in both

cases.

The poll puts the SNP on 34% in the constituency vote, against 40% for

Labour, 14% for the Conservatives and 8% for the Lib Dems.  On the

regional vote the SNP has increased to 31% against 36% for Labour, 15 for

the conservatives and 8 for the Lib Dems.

Commenting on the poll SNP Campaign Co-ordinator and Moray MP Angus

Robertson said:

"The SNP has fired the starting gun on the election campaign and these

results show voters across Scotland are choosing to be part of better as

we close the gap on Labour.

“Voters will not allow Labour to escape from their responsibility for the

economic mess and the cuts coming Scotland’s way and it is clear the Lib

Dems are paying a heavy price for backing the Tories.

“The SNP is the only party offering an alternative with the financial

powers to manage Scotland’s economy and a fair deal for Scotland’s

households by balancing government efficiencies, pay restraint and

management cuts with a focus on frontline services , freezing council tax

and abolishing prescription charges.

“And as we work towards the election next year we will continue to hear

the priorities of the people of Scotland, their concerns, and ideas for

the future as we work together people and politicians to make Scotland

better.

“With Scotland’s only credible candidate for First Minister people are

putting their trust in Alex Salmond and the SNP team to protect the things

Scotland holds dear in the face of Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem cuts.”

ENDS

1.      Yougov poll, published in the Scotsman total sample size was 1,405

adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th - 20th October 2010.

2.      Constituency (3 Sept 10 Mail on Sunday):

 Con    14 (-2)

 Lab    40 (+1)

 LD     8 (-3)

 SNP     34 (+5)

 Oth     5 (-)

3.      Regional ( 3 Sept 10):

 Con    15 (-)

 Lab    36 (-)

 LD      8 (-4)

 SNP     31 (+5)

 Oth     10 (-1)