For immediate release: Sunday 24th October 2010
Attn: Newsdesks
Political Correspondents
NEARLY TWICE AS MANY SCOTS OPT FOR SALMOND OVER GRAY
The SNP today [Sunday] welcomed the YouGov opinion poll, carried out immediately after SNP conference which placed Alex Salmond 17 points ahead of Labour leader Iain Gray on who would be the best First Minister of Scotland.
The opinion poll also showed that support for independence had increased by 6% since May 2010, whilst opposition had fallen by 8%. With the poll taking place before the Tory Chancellor announced the UK Government’s savage cuts on Wednesday, it can only be expected that support for independence would have increased further.
The poll also shows that a majority of SNP, Labour and LibDem voters believe that a Scottish Parliament with greater fiscal responsibility would help Scotland recover from the recession quicker.
Commenting, Deputy First Minister and SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon, said:
“The SNP is the only party with an alternative to the dismal decade of cuts coming from the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Labour party. It is not surprising that support for independence has increased and nearly twice as many Scots believe Alex Salmond would be a better First Minister compared to Labour’s leader.
“With the powers of independence we can genuinely protect the things Scotland holds dear and deliver the jobs and economic growth we need to recover strongly from recession.
“It is with the powers of independence that we will be able to build the better and fairer society with the jobs Scotland needs to grow. As the cuts from Westminster begin to bite the importance of economic powers and the full powers of independence to protect Scotland’s economy, our public services and our society will become even clearer, and it is that vision of independence that will be at the heart of the SNP’s election campaign.
“Scotland and the Scottish Parliament are currently left with little option but to deliver Westminster’s cuts, no matter how devastating. With supporters of SNP, Labour and Lib Dems recognising that with more economic powers we can combat the worst of the cuts and reduce the impact on Scotland, it is now time for opposition parties in Scotland, particularly Labour, to make clear why they prefer Conservative cuts to Scottish responsibilities.”
"Scotland is fortunate to have someone as experienced and hard-working as Alex Salmond as First Minister. It is not surprising that nearly twice as many Scots believe he is the best person for the job compared to Labour's leader."
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Paul Togneri on 07540 547 277
Link to the Scotland on Sunday article on indendence poll and best first minister poll:
The Scottish Parliament currently has only limited economic powers. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion?
More economic powers for the Scottish Parliament would help Scotland recover from the recession: 56% (28% Con) (55% Labour) (51% LD) (85% SNP)
More economic powers for the Scottish Parliament would make no difference to the recovery from recession: 44% (72% Con) (45% Labour) (49% LD) (15% SNP)
Note: the headline figure excludes 13 per cent ‘Don’t knows’
If you had to choose, which of the following do you think would make the better First Minister of Scotland?
Alex Salmond: 41%
Iain Gray: 24%
Don’t know: 35%
The SNP wishes to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in due course. Voters would be asked whether they agree or disagree 'that the Scottish government should negotiate a settlement with the Government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state. How would you vote if such a referendum were held tomorrow? (May 2010)
I would vote YES (i.e. for Scottish independence): 34% (+6)
I would vote NO (i.e. against Scottish independence): 50% (-8)
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