Winning against strong Labour campaigns

'These results show a growing mood for change in Scotland after almost nine years of Labour's low ambition. We have an Executive without vision and a parliament without power - it is time to move on.' SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford MSP 31 th December 2005.

SNP Top of the Polls in Local By-Elections

From the Scottish National Party 31 st December 2005

Taking all 10 local by-elections the SNP has:

• achieved a swing of almost 9% from Labour
• the largest cumulative vote
• gained 5 out of 10 by-elections held and is the only party to gain seats
• taken two seats held by Labour ex-Council leaders

The cumulative results show the SNP is on course for victory in 2007, taking seats from all the other parties.

Commenting, SNP Business Convener, Bruce Crawford said:

"These are excellent results and show that the SNP is on track for success across Scotland this year and in 2007.

"Our community based campaigns have focused on delivering better public services and making a difference. We want a Scotland that is wealthier, communities that are safer and families with more opportunity to succeed. Where Labour has let Scotland down, the SNP is determined to put Scotland first.

"These next elections are about Scotland and only the SNP can beat Labour across the country. We are the alternative government and as Labour's unpopularity grows, more and more people are turning to the SNP.

"These results show a growing mood for change in Scotland after almost nine years of Labour's low ambition. We have an Executive without vision and a parliament without power - it is time to move on."

Notes - The following shows a break down of local results:

1. Cumulative vote of all 10 council by-elections since 2005 election

Party	2005 Vote	2003 Vote	2005 %	2003 %	% Change	2005 Seats	Change
SNP	4,514	4,057	31.05%	22.38%	8.67%	5	+5
Labour	3,965	6,592	27.28%	36.37%	-9.09%	3	0
Tory	2,317	2,971	15.94%	16.39%	-0.45%	2	0
LibDem	1,840	1,763	12.66%	9.73%	2.93%	0	0
SSP	271	705	1.86%	3.89%	-2.03%	0	0
Ind	1,547	2,038	10.64%	11.24%	-0.60%	0	-5
Green	66	0	0%	0.45%	+0.45%	0	0

Note: The SNP gained 4 seats previously held by Independents and 1 from Labour.

2. Winning against strong Labour campaigns

In Loanhead the Labour party's Ex-Council Leader had previously held the seat for 17 years until narrowly losing it by 12 votes in 2003 to an independent. He stood in the 2005 by-election but was beaten by the SNP who increased their vote by 29%.

In Auchtertool & Burntisland East the seat had been held by John MacDougall before he became MP for Fife Central. The SNP vote increased by 22%.

In Herbertshire the SNP took the seat in a ward they had never held before and with a long tradition of voting Labour. The SNP vote increased by 27%.