POLL PUTS SNP IN LEAD AS VOTERS REJECT GRAY

For immediate use: Wednesday 16th February 2011


Attn: NEWSDESKS


SNP REVERSE 10-POINT LABOUR LEAD AS LEADERSHIP ARE FOUND OUT

VOTERS BACK SNP CALL FOR FINANCIAL POWERS


An opinion poll showing the SNP in the lead for Scotland’s election, closing a ten point polling gap, shows voters are rejecting Labour’s Scottish leader as the Labour party’s empty promises and political hypocrisy are exposed.

The poll which follows the successful passage of the SNP’s fourth budget for Scotland, Labour’s hypocrisy over the release of Abdel Basset Al Megrahi and their failure to back a budget containing record numbers of apprenticeships and investment in jobs – as unemployment continues to fall in Scotland, as it rises throughout the UK as a whole – also shows voters support the SNP’s vision of stronger financial powers for Scotland in order to create jobs.

The poll by IPSOS MORI of 1,000 people between the 10th and 13th of February shows over 50% of voters are satisfied with Alex Salmond’s performance as SNP leader giving him a positive rating of 16 points.


In contrast more voters are dissatisfied with Labour’s leader Iain Gray with 34% dissatisfied – and an astonishing 33% have no opinion.
 
On Financial responsibility 37% of voters want Scotland to be responsible for setting and collecting all income tax compared to only 27% support for the Tory tax plan promoted by Labour in the Scottish Parliament.


In the constituency vote the SNP is ahead of Labour by 37% to 36% and by 35% to 33% on the regional vote. In both the constituency and regional vote the SNP is four points up on the party's election winning performance in 2007.


Commenting on the poll SNP Depute Leader and Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:


“Today’s poll shows there is all to play for in Scotland’s election this May – with the SNP moving ahead of Labour and achieving a poll rating four points higher than the election results of 2007.


“With 78 days to May’s election the SNP has closed the gap on Labour as voters look for a strong Scottish Government working to make Scotland better.

“Labour have been found out, and as these figures show Labour’s leadership has been shown up to be seriously defective. The hypocrisy of Labour’s actions over the release of Megrahi – working for the release on political and commercial grounds in London, whilst condemning it on compassionate grounds in Scotland - coupled with their extraordinary behaviour over the
Scottish budget has exposed Labour’s leadership for putting party politics before the people of Scotland.


“It is the SNP that represents the ambitions of the people of Scotland. The more Labour try and talk down the Parliament and reject the tax powers that will create jobs the more the Scottish people support those very powers.


“Yet again, Wendy Alexander’s intervention on the constitution has backfired spectacularly for Labour – just like her ‘bring it on’ approach to the referendum. The more she made financial responsibility for the Scottish Parliament an issue in the Scotland Bill, the better it played
for the SNP.


“And it is Alex Salmond who is the only clear choice as First Minister in this election, as voters reject the hypocrisy and empty promises of Iain Gray – who extraordinarily for the main opposition leader has negative poll ratings.


“Over the next 80 days as we head toward’s Scotland’s election, the SNP will continue to govern for Scotland, to build Scotland’s economy, protect our public services, and to stand on our record of delivery and vision for Scotland’s future.”


ENDS


The Mori/Times poll of 1000 people between 10th and 13th February is as follows


Constituency Vote


SNP 37%
Labour 36%
Tory 13%
LD 10%


Regional Vote

SNP 35%
Labour 33%
Tory 13%
LD 10%
Grn 6%




Satisfaction Ratings (Satisfied / Dissatisfied /Don’t Know)

Alex Salmond +16 (51% / 35% / 14%)


Iain Gray -1 (33%/ 34% / 33%)


Annabel Goldie +2 (32% / 30%/ 38%)


Tavish Scott -8 (26% / 34%/ 40%)

 Financial Powers


I would prefer all income tax to be set and collected by the UK Government as at present 32%


I would prefer some income tax to be set and collected by the UK Govt and some by the Scottish Govt 27%


I would prefer all income tax to be set and collected by the Scottish Govt 37%


DK 4%