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SNP STORM TO VICTORY IN DUMBARTON BY-ELECTION
ENORMOUS 26.7 PERCENT SWING FROM LABOUR TO SNP
PARTY HAS NOW WON 9 OUT OF LAST 19 LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS
Cllr Iain Robertson became the SNP's latest elected representative following his victory in the West Dumbarton By-Election this evening (Thursday).
The SNP came from second place in the ward at the previous by-election in 2005 to increase its vote by 21.4 percent to 45.1 percent, a staggering swing of 26.7 percent from Labour to the SNP in only a year.
A swing of only 8.1 percent in next year's Scottish Parliament would see the SNP meet its target of 20 additional first past the post seats.
Following the announcement of the result, SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford MSP said:
"This enormous victory for the SNP simply underlines the huge progress we have made as a party over the last year. This is a huge swing to the SNP from Labour since the last by-election here only a year ago. It underlines the gains the SNP are making across the country, while at the
same the Labour Party are haemorrhaging votes and seats.
"Since the General Election the SNP has won half the local by-elections in Scotland, taking seats from the Labour Party in what used to be some of their strongest areas. The message to Labour from voters across the country is clear; they are sick of Labour's complacency and they want the SNP to deliver much needed change to their communities and across Scotland.
"Iain and his local team have worked hard to win, and will work just as hard to represent local people on West Dunbartonshire Council. He's a great addition to the SNP's team as we build to win the 2007 election."
Cllr Iain Robertson added:
"I'd like to thank everyone in West Dumbarton who placed their trust in me today at the ballot box, and the members of my campaign team who have worked so hard here on my behalf.
"I promise them that I will continue to campaign for the changes needed this area, and to ensure that their voices are heard in the local council."
FULL RESULT
PARTY VOTE PERCENT
SNP 592 45.1
Labour 588 44.8
SSP 75 5.7
Tory 58 4.4
MAJORITY 4
2005 Result (By-Election)
Labour 687 50.1
SNP 287 23.7
Independent 141 11.6
SSP 130 10.7
Tory 30 2.5
Green 16 1.30
MAJORITY 320
Author : SNP Press Office
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