Winning against strong Labour campaigns
 | 'The next elections are about Scotland and only the SNP can beat the Labour-LibDem Executive across the country. We are the alternative government and as the Labour-LibDem Executive's unpopularity grows, more and more people are turning to the SNP.'
SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford MSP 31 th December 2005. |  |
SNP Remain Top of The Polls in Local By-Elections
The swing to the Scottish National Party's from Labour in local by-election results across Scotland since the May general election has increased after the recent Milton by-election.
Taking all 12 local by-elections the SNP has:
- SNP achieves nearly 10% swing from Labour
- Largest cumulative vote taken by SNP since 2005 General Election
- 2003 local elections were held on same day as Scottish Parliament elections and are best reflection of swing
- 6 SNP gains out of 12 by-elections held - only party to gain seats
- Two seats held by Labour ex-Council leaders taken by SNP
- Cumulative results show SNP on course for victory in 2007 as party best placed to beat Labour-LibDem Executive
Commenting, SNP Business Convener, Bruce Crawford said:
"These are excellent results and show that the SNP not only remains on track for success across Scotland this year but in 2007 also.
"The Milton result also proves that it is the best second placed party that is benefiting and there is not any movement to the LibDems. They slipped to an even poorer fourth place in Milton.
"They won't have the advantage of fighting a Westminster seat in 2007 since they are part of the failing Labour-LibDem Executive. They are also only second to Labour in four Scottish Parliamentary seats compared to the SNP who are second to Labour in 36 seats.
"The next elections are about Scotland and only the SNP can beat the Labour-LibDem Executive across the country. We are the alternative government and as the Labour-LibDem Executive'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 12 council by-elections since 2005 election
| Party |
2005/06
Vote |
2003 Vote |
2005/06 % |
2003 % |
% Change |
2005/06
Seats |
Change |
| SNP |
5,603 |
4,978 |
31.89% |
23.19% |
8.70% |
6 |
+6 |
| Labour |
4,930 |
8,273 |
28.06% |
38.53% |
-10.47% |
3 |
-1 |
| Tory |
2,753 |
3,440 |
15.67% |
16.02% |
-0.35% |
2 |
0 |
| LibDem |
1,884 |
1,763 |
10.72% |
8.21% |
2.51% |
0 |
0 |
| SSP |
364 |
978 |
2.07% |
4.56% |
-2.49% |
0 |
0 |
| Ind/Oth |
1,971 |
2,038 |
11.22% |
9.49% |
1.73% |
1 |
-5 |
| Green |
66 |
0 |
0.38% |
0% |
0.38% |
0 |
0 |
Note: The SNP gained 4 seats previously held by Independents and 2 from Labour.
2. Winning against strong Labour campaigns.
In Milton the SNP took the seat in an area where the party had not been represented before and against a strong Labour campaign to retain the seat.
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%.
3. On target to win seats from all parties in 2007
- Galloway & Upper Nithsdale would be gained from the Tories
- Tweeddale, Ettrick & Lauderdale would be won from the LibDems
- Cumbernauld & Kilsyth would be gained from Labour
- Another 20 seats would be won from the Labour party
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