By-Election Analysis Confirms SNP Support

Labour, who suffered a humiliating 11% fall in their vote in this week's Moray by-election slipping from second to third place, are increasingly isolated with nearly 50% of their votes over the five contests coming from one by-election in North Lanarkshire.

Commenting on the analysis SNP Business Convenor and Moray MP Angus Robertson said:

"This week's tremendous SNP victory in Elgin South reflects the excellent national standing of the SNP.

"With voting taking place on the day councils across the country opted to freeze the council tax it is clear this is a major public endorsement for the SNP Government.

"Labour suffered a humiliating defeat in Elgin this week, falling from second to third place and seeing a 6% swing to the SNP.

"As by-election results from across the country show Labour are increasingly isolated.

"44% of Labour votes across all five by-elections came from retaining a Labour seat in North Lanarkshire.  Though even there the SNP saw a 2% swing from Labour.

"Meanwhile the SNP has gained two new seats as well as increasing our share of the vote at the Lochee by-election in Dundee.

"With the introduction of a council tax freeze, the abolition of prescription charges, the scrapping of tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, a reduction in business rates and the delivery of more police in our communities the SNP Government is working hard to deliver a better future for Scotland, one which is clearly winning the support of people across Scotland."

ENDS

Notes:

RESULTS OF BY-ELECTION ANALYSIS

1. 2 SNP Gain, 1 SNP Hold, 1 LD Gain, 1 Lab Hold

2. Midstocket/Rosemount (Aberdeen) in August; SNP gain seat from Tory; Moved from 2nd place in 1st preference votes to 1st place; 4% increase in vote.

3. Helensburgh & Lomond South (Argyll & Bute Council, Dumbarton Constituency - Holyrood) in October; LibDems gain seat from Independent.

4. Lochee (Dundee) in November; SNP hold; 2% increase in vote; Nicol Stephen visited 5 times - the Lib Dems achieved 11%; Lochee has historically been viewed as a Labour stronghold; Lochee voters received a sustained (and failing) assault by the opposition on the budget and SNP policies.

5. Kilsyth (North Lanarkshire Council, Cumbernauld & Kilsyth Holyrood Constituency) in January. Labour hold. Only Labour by-election victory since May 2007.  The by-election was caused by the death of a Labour councillor. The Labour votes here account for 44% of all Labour votes across the 5 by-elections since May.

6. Elgin South, (Moray Council, Moray Holyrood Constituency) in Feburary. SNP Gain. The by-election was held following the death of an Independent councillor.  Labour fell from 2nd to 3rd with an 11% fall in their vote.