 | 'One MP predicted to lose his seat is Defence and Scottish Secretary Des Browne. A General Election could be called next year - but these worrying figures for Labour make that less likely.' Scottish National Party, 30 th March 2008. |  |
| 'One MP predicted to lose his seat is Defence and Scottish Secretary Des Browne. A General Election could be called next year - but these worrying figures for Labour make that less likely.' Scottish National Party, 30 th March 2008. | |
The SNP is ahead of Labour in voting intentions for a Westminster election for the first time.
An analysis of the last three UK opinion polls shows the SNP on 36 per cent and Labour four points behind on 32 per cent.
The figures overshadowed Scottish Labour's conference in Aviemore over the weekend.
The polls predict 23 SNP MPs would be returned, with 26 for Labour. The Conservatives on 18 per cent would have three MPs and the Lib Dems on 10 per cent, seven.
One MP predicted to lose his seat is Defence and Scottish Secretary Des Browne. A General Election could be called next year - but these worrying figures for Labour make that less likely.
The average of all polls with a Scottish sample over the last month show the SNP on 36% - an increase of 18%, Labour falling 7.5% to 32, the Tories on 18% and the Lib Dems on 10%.
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said:
"These polls, supported by by-election results across Scotland, show the SNP building its support as voters walk away from Labour.
"Far from 10 out of 10 Labour's performance in Scotland is in decline.
"Des Browne may say Labour have turned a corner but he is one of the Labour MPs who after repeatedly letting Scotland down sees his place at Westminster in jeopardy.
"On issue after issue Scottish Labour MPs have failed to stand up for the national interest.
"In the last few months alone, they have voted down an inquiry into the Iraq war; voted through the Chancellors smash and grab raid on the whisky industry; voted to deny people the chance to vote in a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty; and rubber stamped the diversion of £184million in lottery cash from Scottish good causes to the London Olympics.
"Clearly, Scottish Labour MP's have not learned any lessons from Labour's humiliation at the Scottish Parliament elections last year. They are doomed to repeat the same mistakes, and follow the orders of their London masters.
"In contrast the SNP is surging forward as the Scottish Government removes prescription charges, delivers a Council Tax freeze, reintroduces free university education, and cuts small business rates."
"It's no surprise that opinion polls and by-election results show the SNP leading for the Westminster election."
ENDS
1. Combined Westminster opinion polls with Scottish sample conducted in March:
SNP - 36%
Lab - 32%
Con - 18%
Lib Dem - 10%
Other - 4%
2. According to Electoral Calculus this would give the SNP 23 seats, Labour 26, Lib Dems 7 and Conservatives 3.
One of the seats the SNP would take is Kilmarnock and Loudon, currently represented by Des Browne MP.
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