The results in an IPSOS MORI opinion poll show 48% of people want to see the SNP re-elected as the Scottish Government rather than another party lead the Government. Only 44% supported another party leading the government, while 9% did not know who they wanted to lead.

The poll, which also showed the SNP closing a 10 point gap with Labour and strong support for Alex Salmond’s leadership, shows voters across Scotland, regardless of their allegiance want to see the SNP re-elected rather than another party lead the Scottish Government.

Voters from all three main parties supported re-electing the SNP as did a large number of supporters of smaller parties.  A fifth of Labour voters backed an SNP government, whilst a third of Tories and Lib Dems wanted to see the SNP re-elected.  Re-electing the SNP as a government was more popular than seeing any other party lead across both urban and rural areas and scored over 50% with young people and the over 55‘s.

The poll shows the SNP’s approach to government, set out in May 2007 on Alex Salmond’s election as First Minister, resonates with people across the country.

On May 16th 2007 upon election as First Minister Alex Salmond said: 

“I commit myself to leadership wholly and exclusively in the Scottish national interest. We will appeal for support across the chamber policy by policy. That is the Parliament that the people of Scotland have elected and that is the Government that I will be proud to lead.”

Commenting SNP Campaign Director Angus Robertson said:

“This poll shows that there is a huge pool of support for the SNP that can ensure the re-election of an SNP Government working for Scotland on May 5th.  The other parties could well haemorrhage more support to the SNP.

“The poll shows that as a result of our positive record of delivery over the last four years, voters in all parties want to see the SNP re-elected and Alex Salmond continue to lead as Scotland’s First Minister - which indicates the scale of the SNP's opportunity.

“These figures combined with results from the same poll showing the SNP has closed a 10 point gap on Labour and that Alex Salmond has a satisfaction rating of over 50% across the country are incredibly positive for the SNP and demonstrate that over the next 74 days there is a real opportunity for voters to seize the initiative and re-elect the SNP Scottish Government they want to see.

“And it is not just that voters from all parties that back the re-election of an SNP Government, voters from both rural and urban Scotland back the  re-election of the SNP Government over another party.  That is a positive judgment on our record of governing for and representing all parts of Scotland.

“As Alex Salmond made clear on his appointment as First Minister four years ago that the SNP would govern in the Scottish national interest appealing for support across the Parliament and outside it policy by policy.

“That approach, working with others to make Scotland better day by day, resonates with people in all parts of Scottish life and has helped us build a record of achievement, freezing the council tax, supporting small business, restoring free education, tackling climate change, creating a record 20000 apprentices and the coming abolition of prescription charges that meets the priorities of those we all represent.

“This poll puts the SNP and our campaign over the next few months in a strong position to deliver on the vision we share for Scotland’s future by reaching out to those who recognise that it is a strong Scottish Government  working for Scotland that can and will make Scotland better.”

Ends 

Notes:  

Ipsos Mori Poll of 1000 people between 10th and 13th February 2011-02-18

1. The Scottish National Party has led the Scottish government since the elections of 2007. Regardless of how you intend to vote personally in the forthcoming election, do you think the SNP should be re-elected as the government for the next four years, or do you think a different party should lead the next Scottish government?  (Certain to Vote)

SNP 48%
Another party 44%
Don’t Know 9%


2. A breakdown of the questions shows:
Amongst Labour voters a fifth (20%) want to see the SNP re-elected
Amongst Tory and  Lib Dem voters around a third (31 and 32% respectively) want to see the SNP re-elected
A third of voters (31%) for “other” e.g. smaller parties want to see the SNP re-elected 
Amongst SNP voters a solid 94% want to see the SNP re-elected

In Urban and Rural Scotland more people back the re-election of the SNP than another party

Urban areas: SNP 49% Other 45% Don’t Know 6%
Rural areas: SNP 45% Other 44% Don’t Know 11%

Across the age categories the strongest support for re-electing the SNP government is amongst students and the over 55’s.

18-24 age group: SNP 56% Other 37% Don’t Know 7%
55+ age group: SNP 50% Other 43% Don’t Know 7%