SNP Leads Grow as Labour Hit Poll Low
 | 'As the Labour Government at Westminster lurches from crisis to crisis and the Lib Dems slip even further off the political radar it is clear that people across Scotland welcome the positive steps being taken by the SNP.'
SNP Business Convenor Angus Robertson MP, 25 th November 2007. |  |
SNP Leads Grow as Labour Hit Poll Low
SNP Business Convenor Angus Robertson MP today published an analysis of by-election results since the May 2007 elections which show the SNP 14% ahead of the Labour party. The figures, from by-elections in Aberdeen, Helensburgh and Dundee show a commanding lead for the SNP with 35% of the vote across all three by elections compared to only 21% for the Labour party.
This analysis follows the Scottish breakdowns of the latest YouGov polls by the Times and Channel 4 which, on small samples (200), show a 6-7% lead for the SNP over the Labour party.
Commenting on the results SNP Business Convenor Angus Robertson MP said:
"The SNP is continuing to win support across the country with our positive commitment to deliver a healthier, wealthier and greener Scotland.
"As the by-election results show people are responding enthusiastically to the actions of the SNP Government from the removal of bridge tolls to cutting small business rates, scrapping prescription charges and the historic council tax freeze.
"This weekÕs by-election in Dundee, where the SNP won 49% of the vote to Labour's 34% shows that the negative tactics of Labour and the Lib Dems, criticising the SNP Government, attacking the council tax freeze and the historic agreement with local authorities are backfiring badly.
"It is also very unusual and enormously encouraging for the SNP to be outpolling Labour in Westminster voting intentions, albeit the sample sizes in Scotland of the two polls are small, but they reflect the results of real elections in Scottish local government.
"As the Labour Government at Westminster lurches from crisis to crisis and the Lib Dems slip even further off the political radar it is clear that people across Scotland welcome the positive steps being taken by the SNP."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The results of all three by-elections combined are as follows
RESULTS OF BY-ELECTIONS POST MAY 2007
| Party | Votes | % |
| SNP | 3236 | 35% |
| Labour | 1913 | 21% |
| Tory | 1602 | 17% |
| LibDem | 1770 | 19% |
| Other | 656 | 7% |
a. Midstocket/Rosemount (Aberdeen) in August; SNP gain seat from Tory; Moved from second place in 1st preference votes to first place; 4% increase in vote.
b. Helensburgh & Lomond South (Argyll & Bute Council, Dumbarton Constituency - Holyrood) in October; LibDems gain seat from Independent.
c. Lochee (Dundee) in November; SNP hold; 2% increase in vote; Nicol Stephen visited 5 times yet the Lib Dems only managed 11%; Lochee has historically been viewed as a Labour stronghold; Lochee voters received a sustained (and failing) assault by the opposition on the budget and SNP policies.
2. Scottish samples from latest YouGov polls.
YouGov poll for Channel 4, 21-22 November, Scottish sample 143.
| Party | Votes |
| SNP | 36% |
| Lab | 30% |
| Con | 19% |
| Lib | 11% |
This finding was also reflected in the last YouGov poll for the Times, 14-16 November, Scottish sample 182, which put SNP support at 35% and Labour at 28%.
We recognise that the Scottish samples of UK polls are small, but nonetheless they do support the analysis of local government by-elections, including the SNPÕs victory in Dundee last Thursday.
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