Poll puts Scottish Labour ten points clear of SNP with Lib Dems in third

Despite being pushed into third place in some UK polls in the wake of the prime ministerial debates, Scottish Labour is ten points clear of its nearest rival, the SNP, according to the findings.

The Ipsos Mori poll, which interviewed Scots both before and after last week's debate, does confirm that the TV event triggered a Lib Dem "surge", with the party adding eight percentage points to its showing compared with February.

But Lib Dems are still below their share of the vote from the 2005 General Election, when they won 23 per cent of the popular vote, and are set to be pushed from second place into third by the SNP, the poll finds.

Released by STV last night, it puts Labour on 36 per cent, the SNP on 26 per cent, the Lib Dems on 20 per cent and the Conservatives on 14 per cent.

The poll also revealed 56 per cent thought it was better for one party to have an overall majority at Westminster, while 36 per cent said they would prefer a hung parliament.

If the improvement in Lib Dem support is maintained on 6 May, it will help them see off strong challenges from the Tories and Labour in Scotland in a number of their 12 seats.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pointed out how the poll's figures put the SNP well up on its 2005 showing, when it won only 17.7 per cent of votes.

As for the Lib Dems, she claimed: "While the Lib Dems may fool voters in England that support is not being replicated in Scotland because people have a more credible and attractive alternative to the failed Westminster parties."

David McLetchie, the Scottish Conservative campaign manager, insisted: "Our private polling in our target seats shows we are well placed to win in seats right across Scotland."

The Scottish Lib Dems will today launch their manifesto in Edinburgh, with a pledge to break up the country's banks.