NEWLY PUBLISHED YOUGOV POLL PUTS HOLYROOD INDEPENDENCE MAJORITY “IN TOUCHING DISTANCE”

SNP DOUBLES ITS LEAD OVER LABOUR

The newly published Holyrood voting intentions from the Sunday Times’ YouGov poll published at the weekend show that the SNP has doubled its poll lead over Labour in the Scottish Parliament constituency vote since the previous YouGov poll in April – and puts the parties and MSPs who support Scottish independence within touching distance of an absolute majority in the Scottish Parliament: just five seats short. The poll figures are now published on the YouGov website.

The poll puts the SNP on 39% of the constituency vote to 26% for Labour – a 13 point lead, up from 7 points in April. The Weber Shandwick seats projector analysis shows that at least 60 MSPs who support independence would be elected on this poll: comprising 52 SNP MSPs, 7 Greens, and the likelihood that Margo MacDonald would be one of the two ‘Other’ MSPs elected.

The poll projection shows the SNP winning 52 seats (up five) to Labour’s 36 (down 10). The SNP would win 49 of the 73 constituency seats (up 28), and three list seats. The Tories would fall one seat from 2007 to 16, and the Liberals would also win 16 seats (no change).

Commenting on the poll, SNP MSP for Stirling and Minister for Parliamentary Business Mr Bruce Crawford said:

"Having won the European election in Scotland and moved ahead of Labour in Westminster voting intentions, this sensational new poll shows a huge SNP lead for the Scottish Parliament.

“It demonstrates that the people of Scotland trust the SNP’s record in Government – including our action to support economic recovery, as well as freezing the Council Tax, slashing business rates, phasing in free prescriptions, scrapping bridge tolls, and delivering 1,000 additional police officers.

“On the day after the Calman Commission published its report, the significance of these figures is that it would put the pro-independence parties and MSPs within touching distance of achieving an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament – including 52 SNP MSPs and seven Greens.

“The Calman parties – Labour, Tory and Lib Dem – are behind the times, as well as being behind the SNP in elections and polls. The opportunities that we have and challenges we face as a nation require full financial powers, so that we can take the big economic decisions Scotland needs to succeed.

“That is the positive case the SNP wish to take to the people in the referendum we propose for 2010 – so that people have the opportunity to choose independence and equality for Scotland.”

BROWN MELTDOWN REFLECTED IN HEARTLAND BY-ELECTIONS

LABOUR JUST CLING ON IN SAFEST WESTMINSTER SEAT IN SCOTLAND

The SNP have hailed the result of the Coatbridge North and Glenboig by-election in North Lanarkshire which not only saw a swing of over 5% from Labour to the SNP – from the SNP's high point of 2007 – but also saw the party come within only 63 votes of taking the council seat.

The ward lies in what should be Labour's safest Westminster seat of Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill and the by-election was the subject of a disputed recount.

Commenting on the result Central Scotland SNP MSP John Wilson said:

“Coatbridge should be Labour heartland. For Labour to see their vote collapse to a level where they cling on by only 63 votes is remarkable.

“The 2007 election result was already a high watermark for the SNP. For the SNP to achieve a further swing in what is our midterm is a great result.

“That Labour had to dispute a full recount and just scrape home by 63 votes reflects the depths of Labour's meltdown in contrast to the success of the SNP Government.”

Commenting on the combined results of yesterday's by-elections which show a 7.82% swing from Labour to the SNP from the 2007 election SNP MSP and Minister for Parliament Bruce Crawford said:

“These results are a very positive indication for the SNP Government. With the possibility of a General Election increasing as Gordon Brown's government disintegrates these results put the SNP in a strong position.

"The people of Scotland want a Government which puts jobs and communities at the top of its agenda - not one which still has plans to slash Scottish investment in the teeth of a recession.”

AS LABOUR CABINET CRUMBLES SNP MOVES AHEAD OF LABOUR IN YOUGOV POLL

MESSAGE OF PROTECTING JOBS RESONATES

As Gordon Brown's Cabinet disintegrates with the resignation of James Purnell the latest YouGov opinion poll from the Daily Telegraph has shown the SNP moving further ahead in voting preferences for the Westminster Parliament with a 8% lead over Labour.

The poll – which has a Scottish sample of 410 people – puts the SNP on 33% to 22% for Labour compared to 29% to 24% in their previous poll. The SNP is also ahead in European voting intentions.

Commenting on the figures SNP MSP and Minister for Parliament Bruce Crawford said;

“These results are a very positive indication for the SNP with a lead in Westminster voting intentions. With the possibility of a General Election increasing as Gordon Brown's government disintegrates this puts the SNP in a strong position.

"The people of Scotland want a Government which puts jobs and communities at the top of its agenda - not one which slashes Scottish investment in the teeth of a recession.

“These results make it clear – it is only the SNP that can give Scotland a strong voice and send a message to Downing Street that it’s time for a General Election.”