With elections to Scotland’s local authorities taking place in May this year, the SNP welcomed figures from the last four and a half years showing that support for the party was continuing to grow.
The SNP also focused on the report in last week’s Sunday Herald that new Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont is presiding over a “dysfunctional” local party in her Pollok constituency. It was reported that seven of the nine Labour councillors in Ms Lamont’s Pollok seat have been deemed unelectable for this May’s local elections, after being suspended, deselected or rejected as suitable candidates.
SNP candidates have been elected in 20 of the 47 local by-elections held since 2007, more than for any other party.
In the last 12 months the SNP have won nine local authority by-elections. In contrast Labour have won only three with the Lib Dems on one seat. The Tories have secured only one by-election win in the last four years.
Results from 2007 to 2011 show the SNP vote increasing by five per cent over the four and a half year period and by 10% in 2011 alone.
The SNP has also moved into the leadership of Dundee and Stirling Councils since 2007 and become the lead partner in the administration of Aberdeen City Council.
Last week, all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities confirmed in principle that they would accept the Scottish Government’s funding settlement - which will keep council tax frozen, protect teacher numbers, and maintain the 1,000 additional police officers delivered by the SNP Government.
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| James Dornan SNP MSP Glasgow Cathcart |
“With Scotland going back to the polls in May this year to elect our local councillors, the SNP is going into the year with a strong record and growing support from the people of Scotland.
“Over the last four years increasing numbers of voters have backed the SNP to represent them locally, and the party is now privileged to lead the administrations in Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling.
“This year’s local elections are a real chance to bring the same energy, enthusiasm and commitment to serving local people that the SNP is delivering in government to local authorities all across Scotland.
“The SNP has a strong track record that has seen councils ease the burden on local people with a council tax freeze, construct new council houses and expand access to free school meals.
“All 32 of Scotland’s local authorities have confirmed acceptance of the SNP Government’s funding settlement – which will keep the council tax frozen, and protect teacher numbers and the 1,000 additional police officers delivered by the SNP, despite the biggest ever cut in funding from the UK Government. It is this record of delivery which SNP candidates will stand on in May.
“The choice in May will be between the SNP, Scotland’s party of delivery, and Labour – a party of negativity.
“We have the appalling situation of Labour’s civil war in the new leader’s own backyard - where seven of the nine sitting Labour councillors in Johann Lamont’s constituency have been suspended, deselected or rejected as suitable candidates.
"It begs the question; if the new Labour leader presides over such a dysfunctional local party, how can she provide leadership at a national level?
“In the run up to May’s local elections the SNP will be campaigning hard to show people in every community that working together at every level we can deliver local government that will make our communities better and help all of us to take Scotland forward.”
