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SWING OF OVER 30 PERCENT FROM LABOUR IN BROWN'S BACKYARD PUTS SNP IN DRIVING SEAT
SNP Leader Alex Salmond MP today hailed the SNP's victory in the local by-election in Markinch & Woodside East as further evidence of the party's increasing momentum as we move towards next year's Scottish Parliament elections.
The stunning result in Fife was the SNP's tenth win in twenty local by-elections since last year's General election, and supports wider polling evidence that the SNP are the only party who can beat Labour next year.
Speaking at a news conference in Edinburgh, where he was joined by newly elected Councillor John Beare, Mr Salmond said:
"This astounding result firmly places the SNP in the driving seat for next year's election. The magnitude of the victory is further underlined by the fact that this took place on the last day of the Labour Party's conference and in Chancellor Gordon Brown's backyard - the ward lies in the constituency neighbouring Gordon Brown's.
"For the SNP to make such significant and substantial inroads in an area which was once a Labour stronghold is a tremendous result, not only because of the tremendous work undertaken locally by John Beare and Tricia Marwick MSP, but because the SNP is steadily gaining momentum as we build to next year.
"When given the choice, voters are deserting Labour and getting behind the SNP's agenda for progress for Scotland. They know that only the SNP can replace Labour next year as the largest party in Holyrood, and form a government that will stand up for all of Scotland."
Speaking at his first press conference, Cllr John Beare said:
"I'm delighted that the people of Markinch have placed their trust in both the SNP and I. People feel let down by Labour, and now feel that it's time for change. That's why I achieved this victory last night, and why the SNP are set for victory at a national level next year.
"Voters know that SNP councillors will work hard for their communities, while nationally they want Alex Salmond as Fist Minister to work in their best interests there. This result is further evidence that only the SNP can beat Labour next year."
Notes for Editors:
Result of the Markinch & Woodside East By-Election
Thursday 28th September 2006
The full results of the by-election are:
CANDIDATE_____PARTY_______VOTE__%
John Beare____SNP_________892___55.7%
I Gibson______Labour______388___24.2%
B Forrest_____Lib Dem_____257___16.0%
D Mole________Tory________39____2.4%
A Lawson______Independent_25____1.5%
The 2003 Result was:
PARTY____VOTE___%
Labour___1,074__58.2%
SNP______545____29.6%
Tory_____121____6.6%
LibDem___104____5.6%
This represents a swing of 30% from Labour to the SNP.
A briefing paper detailing the cumulative votes of all local
by-elections since the 2005 election showing the swing to the SNP from
Labour can be accessed here:
http://members.snp.org/snpnews/2005/snp_press_release.2006-09-29
.9976333159/2006-09-29.1656850815/download
Author : SNP Press Office
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