SNP in ‘strong position’ ahead of UK election

THE SNP is in a “strong position” ahead of next year’s Westminster election, the party’s business convener Derek Mackay has claimed.

Derek Mackay said the analysis would put pressure on Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont. Picture: TSPL

The party says analysis of Scottish voting intentions collected in every YouGov poll since the independence referendum on September 18 puts its support at 40.1%.

The “super-poll”, which includes a sample of 4,845 people, has support for Labour at 27.9%, the Conservatives at 17.8%, the Lib Dems at 6.2%, Ukip at 4.1% and the Greens on 3.2%.

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Mr Mackay said the analysis would put pressure on Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont.

He said: “These are very welcome figures showing that the SNP is in a strong position going into next year’s Westminster election - while Labour’s support is sinking as the whispering campaign against Johann Lamont’s leadership continues.

“With a strong team of SNP MPs elected next year we will be in a good position to hold the Westminster parties to account on their ‘vow’ of extensive new powers for Scotland - and to get the powers we need to make Scotland a fairer, more prosperous place for everyone who lives here.

“No matter what Labour do between now and the election, the fact is that traditional Labour voters won’t forget or forgive Johann Lamont’s decision to enter into the toxic alliance with the Tories in the No campaign.”

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