By-Election Analysis Confirms Increasing SNP Support

Labour, who suffered a humiliating 97 votes (3% of the poll) in this week's Perthshire by-election are increasingly isolated with nearly 45% of their votes over the six contests coming from one by-election in North Lanarkshire.

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

"This is a triumph for the SNP and gives the people's verdict on the Budget and performance of the Scottish Government.  

"Across Scotland, the SNP are winning the support of the people while Labour is falling further and further behind.

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

"With voting taking place on the day more 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 with less than 100 votes and 3% of the vote.

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

"Nearly 45% of Labour votes across all six by-elections came from retaining a Labour seat in North Lanarkshire and even there the SNP saw a swing from Labour in a much larger field of candidates than in May.

"Meanwhile the SNP has gained two new seats as well as increasing our share of the vote. 

"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."

Notes:

BY-ELECTION

The Highland Perthshire by-election on Thursday saw a resounding victory for the SNP government - and a higher share of the vote than in the election last May:

The combined figures for the six by-elections since last May - over 17,000 votes - also show the SNP up:

1. SNP Gains, 2 SNP Holds, 1 LD Gain, 1 Lab Hold
2. Midstocket/Rosemount (Aberdeen Council, Aberdeen Central Constituency - Holyrood) 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 Council, Dundee West Constituency - Holyrood) 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 February. 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.
7. Highland (Perth & Kinross, North Tayside Holyrood constituency) February 21st 2008.  SNP Hold with 59% of the vote.  Labour received only 98 votes or 3% of the total.