Analysis confirms increasing SNP support

On the day Gordon Brown suffered humiliation at the polls south of the border an analysis of all Scottish by-elections held since the SNP won the historic 2007 election shows the SNP increasing its support at the expense of Labour.

Over 28,000 votes have been cast in by-elections since May 2007 and the SNP not only tops the poll but has increased its share of the vote whilst Labour has lost nearly 20% of its vote.

The analysis comes on the day the SNP achieved a sensational by-election win in the Troup ward of Aberdeenshire where the SNP enjoyed a 10% swing from the Tory party.

Commenting on the result SNP Business Convener and Westminster Party Leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"These are significant and stunning figures. A year since the historic election that brought the SNP to Government and saw the Labour party defeated for the first time in five decades it is the SNP in Government which is thriving and attracting support whilst the Labour party is disintegrating.

"Gordon Brown is facing humiliation south of the Border and this analysis demonstrates a tale of two governments. One which is out of touch with people throughout the UK and one which is delivering for the people of Scotland.

"And even as David Cameron records victories in England the Troup by-election swing of 10% from the Tories to the SNP shows a tale of two countries.  The Tories may be winning south of the Border, but they are getting 'Macduffed up' in Scotland!

"The SNP has increased its support because our Government is delivering a range of SNP policies like freezing the Council Tax, cutting business rates, restoring free education in and beginning the abolition of prescription charges.

"In contrast, this was a catastrophic night for Labour and Gordon Brown as we see the council results come in down south.  Whilst the Labour government is disintegrating, the SNP government is going from strength to strength as we mark one year on from the election."

ENDS

Notes:

1. The total votes, percentages and percentage changes for all by-elections since May 2007 is as follows:

Party      Votes      %         Change
SNP        9773       35%       2%
Labour    6341       22%       -5%
Tory       5275       19%       1%
LibDem   3311       12%       2%
Other      3503       12%       0%

3.5% swing Labour to SNP

2. The Troup by-election result declared today with % change in vote is as follows:

Party        Votes       %          Change
SNP          1721        63%       +15%
Tory          515         19%       -5%
LibDem      503         18%

10% swing Tory to SNP