Polling shows the SNP is on the side of the Scottish people with key policies for the coming election winning the overwhelming support of Scotland’s voters.

In a Mori poll of 1000 people between 10th and 13th February voters backed key policies supported by the SNP and opposed by Labour.

The poll shows that on freezing the council tax, on protecting Scotland’s health service and when it comes to keeping the additional 1000 police on Scotland’s streets it is the SNP that is in line with Scotland’s voters.

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

“The SNP has a strong track record of meeting people’s concerns and being on the side of people across Scotland.

“Over the last four years we have frozen the council tax saving households an average of £322, restored free education, reduced prescription charges and invested in jobs and recovery.

“As we go into this election the SNP has made clear that we will freeze the council tax at current levels for not just one more year but two and that we will protect NHS spending with real terms increases in NHS resources over each of the next four years.  These are pledges we now know have the overwhelming support of the Scottish people.

“And on the police where the SNP Government has made clear that we will put bobbies before boundaries as we prioritise keeping the additional 1000 police officers recruited by the SNP Government on our streets our opposition are more concerned with bureaucracy than community safety. 

“With opinion polls showing voters are increasingly turning to the SNP and Alex Salmond’s government as their preferred choice it is the SNP’s policies that are reflecting the values and priorities of Scotland’s voters.

“Labour have refused to commit to the council tax freeze, refused to back NHS spending and continually voted against the budget that backs the 1000 extra police officers on our street.

“Where we have made our position on freezing council tax, protecting the NHS and backing Scotland’s police perfectly clear our opponents have said nothing and over the coming weeks as we head toward Scotland’s election on May 5th the SNP will set out our vision for Scotland’s future, protecting public services, supporting household budgets and building a stronger Scottish economy.”

Ends

MORI polling – Policy results

On balance, do you support or oppose the following policies?

(a) Council Tax levels should continue to be frozen at current levels

     Support 78%

     Oppose 19%

     DK 4%

On balance, do you support or oppose the following policies?

(b) Spending on the NHS should be prioritised over spending on other public services

     Support 68%

     Oppose 26%

     DK 6%

On balance, do you support or oppose the following policies?

(c) The number of police officers in Scotland should be maintained at current levels

     Support 81%

     Oppose 14%

     DK 5%

Fieldwork dates : 10 to 14 February 2011 (All)

Respondent Type : General public

J11-0016835-01 Weighted, suppressed, ranked, not yet coded

Source : Ipsos MORI