SNP hails 'sensational' new poll

The Scottish National Party released figures from an opinion poll commissioned by the party from YouGov, which reveals that, by a margin of over three-to-one, people in Scotland believe that Alex Salmond and the SNP Government are doing a better job than Gordon Brown and the UK Labour Government, and care more about them and their family.

The First Minister and SNP Government are popular right across voting groups, and even among Labour voters, only a minority favour Gordon Brown and the Labour government.

Commenting on the poll, SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Ms Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:

“These are sensational figures, which show that trust in and support for the Scottish Government and our policies are riding high – while Gordon Brown and the UK Labour government are in the doldrums.

“The poll confirms the tale of two governments that was such a major factor in the SNP’s success in Glasgow East. By a margin of over three-to-one, people believe that Alex Salmond and the SNP Government are doing a better job than Gordon Brown and his failing Labour administration, and care most about them and their family.

“The people are on the side of the Scottish Government because the SNP are on the side of the people.

“The SNP government have taken decisive action to help families and business with rising costs – freezing the Council Tax, cutting business rates, starting the phased abolition of prescription charges, and restoring free education – while Gordon Brown’s dithering administration sit on their hands, and send out mixed messages on what they might or might not be doing.

“We will never be complacent, and will continue to build success in Scotland by governing in partnership with the people.”

NOTE: The YouGov poll was commissioned by the SNP, fieldwork 6-8 August 2008, sample 1,028

1. THINKING ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES OF GORDON BROWN AS PRIME MINISTER AND ALEX SALMOND AS FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND, WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK IS DOING A BETTER JOB?

TOTAL

Alex Salmond: 52%

Gordon Brown: 16%

Neither: 26%

Don’t know: 6%

BY VOTING GROUP

LABOUR

Alex Salmond: 24%

Gordon Brown: 48%

Neither: 25%

Don’t know: 2%

SNP

Alex Salmond: 89%

Gordon Brown: 1%

Neither: 6%

Don’t know: 4%

CONSERVATIVES

Alex Salmond: 59%

Gordon Brown: 3%

Neither: 36%

Don’t know: 2%

LIB DEM

Alex Salmond: 42%

Gordon Brown: 13%

Neither: 41%

Don’t know: 5%

2. THINKING ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES OF THE UK LABOUR GOVERNMENT AND THE SCOTTISH SNP GOVERNMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHICH DO YOU THINK CARES MOST ABOUT THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

TOTAL

Scottish Government: 52%

UK Government: 16%

Neither: 24%

Don’t know: 7%

BY VOTING GROUP

LABOUR

Scottish Government: 33%

UK Government: 45%

Neither: 18%

Don’t know: 5%

SNP

Scottish Government: 88%

UK Government: 1%

Neither: 8%

Don’t know: 3%

CONSERVATIVE

Scottish Government: 45%

UK Government: 12%

Neither: 39%

Don’t know: 3%

LIB DEM

Scottish Government: 48%

UK Government: 15%

Neither: 32%

Don’t know: 5%