By-election landslide for SNP

The SNP has cruised to a landslide win in Angus. Candidate Jean Lee won at Monifieth and Sidlaw, on the first and only count, polling just under 70%. The party's vote share surged by 14.3% compared with the last main polls in May 2007.

The SNP said its vote share in the by-election was the highest for any party in any ward since the proportional representation voting system was introduced for Scottish council polls in 2007.

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie whose constituency includes a sizeable portion of the Angus Council ward of Monifieth & Sidlaw, today congratulated new SNP Councillor Jean Lee for her stunning by-election win.

Stewart Hosie said:

"Jean Lee will be a first-class councillor for Monifieth & Sidlaw and I congratulate her on her tremendous victory, taking over 69% of the first preference votes. That is the highest vote share for any party in any local government election since PR was introduced.

“The SNP are the party of government in Scotland, and our victory is a positive endorsement of the SNP and a positive vote for our record of policy delivery. In by-elections, the European elections, and opinion polls for Holyrood and Westminster, the SNP have the support of the people of Scotland.

"The SNP Government are focussed on helping families and business during tough times – the Economic Recovery Programme is supporting 15,000 jobs, and we are freezing the Council Tax freeze, slashing business rates, introducing free prescriptions, and delivering 1,000 additional police officers in Scotland’s communities. These are the SNP policies that are winning elections across Scotland – and in spectacular style in Monifieth & Sidlaw.”