Highest-ever SNP poll rating after year in power

Posted by Peter Murrell Sat, 03/05/2008 - 08:18

The Scottish National Party is marking the first anniversary of its election to power today, as it hits 45% in an opinion poll - its highest-ever rating and a stunning 14 points ahead of Labour.

The poll showed the SNP on 45% of the constituency vote, with Labour on 31%, Tories on 12% and LibDems on 11%.On the regional list vote, the SNP lead was almost as comfortable, at 41% and 12 points ahead of Labour, while Tories and LibDems were each on 12%. The Greens attracted 4%; Socialists and Solidarity polled only 1%.

Another poll, by YouGov published earlier this week, registered 36% support for the SNP on the Holyrood constituency vote, with Labour on 31%, LibDems on 15% and Tories on 13%. On the regional vote, YouGov's internet sample showed the SNP on 37%, Labour on 28%, LibDems and Tories on 13%. For Westminster intentions, Labour had 34%, four points ahead of the SNP, with Tories on 17% and LibDems on 14%.

The latest rating is a boost for the SNP as it marks a year since its election breakthrough.

SNP depute leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "A year after the historic elections, and as Labour disintegrates, the growing SNP lead shows that the honeymoon continues on the back of solid policy delivery.

"The SNP has set a pace and direction of government which has achieved a great deal by breathing new life into Scottish democracy and delivering for our public services.

"Whether it is a freeze on council tax, ending prescription charges, abolition of bridge tolls, eradication of tuition fees, scrapping business rates for small business, extra police on our streets, extra teachers in our classrooms, or saving Accident & Emergency services, it is the SNP government who are showing the way ahead for Scotland, and proving that real change can be delivered.

"As we continue to move Scotland forward with our plans to abolish the council tax, to build new hospitals, to tackle the scourge of drink and drugs in our communities and put Scotland at the front of efforts to combat climate change, we will continue to govern in the best interests of the people of Scotland, our families and our communities."

SNP business convener Angus Robertson MP added:

"This is a fantastic birthday present for the SNP one year on from the historic election victory – our strongest ever poll ratings.

"In the aftermath of Labour's disastrous showing south of the Border, this puts massive pressure on Wendy Alexander's leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland. The gap between the SNP and Labour is becoming as wide as the Clyde – Labour's 14 point deficit nearly matches Wendy's own negative ratings.

"The record lead shows that the SNP Government is popular on the back of solid policy delivery over the past year – with much more to come.

"The poll would mean the SNP winning 15 more seats – just three short of an overall majority."

This TNS/System Three poll puts the SNP over 40% for the first time ever on both votes.

"And it was conducted before Gordon Brown's election humiliation south of the Border. It demonstrates a tale of two governments. Labour, which is out of touch with people throughout the UK; and the SNP, which is delivering for the people of Scotland. And even as David Cameron hails victories in England, the poll shows the Tories losing even more ground."While the Labour Party is disintegrating and the other parties are on the way down, the SNP government is going from strength to strength as we celebrate the party's first year in office."Notes:The TNS/System Three poll details are:* Scottish Parliament constituency vote (change since 2007 in brackets):SNP: 45% (+12)
Lab: 31% (-1)
Con: 12% (-5)
Lib: 11% (-5)* Scottish Parliament regional vote (change since 2007 in brackets):SNP: 41% (+10)
Lab: 29% (-)
Con: 12% (-2)
Lib: 12% (+1)
Grn: 4%
Oth: 2%* Holyrood seats projection:SNP: 62 (+15)
Lab: 39 (-7)
Con: 13 (-4)
Lib: 13 (-3)
Grn: 2 (-)* Westminster General Election (change since 2005 in brackets):SNP: 31% (+13)
Lab: 39% (-1)
Con: 17% (+1)
Lib: 10% (-13)

TNS/System Three polled 1,086 adults between the 26 and 29 April.