SNP declare ‘wind of change’ in Scotland

SNP leader Alex Salmond declared a “wind of change” is blowing across Scotland, but with many results still pending, the nationalist have yet not achieved the impressive gains many predicted. Mr Salmond himself achieved a historic victory, taking the constituency seat of Gordon on a 20 per cent swing from third place. The SNP have […]

Labour avert ‘electoral disaster’

Labour claims it has avoided “electoral disaster”, despite losing seats across England, Scotland and Wales. A significant swing to the SNP in Scotland could see the nationalists gain power, but with many seats yet to declare and scores of spoilt ballot papers, the result is still too close to call. Labour remains the single largest […]

Scottish election comes ‘down to the wire’

The Scottish election has become too close to follow, as politicians embark on the final day of campaigning. Two opinion polls show Labour have narrowed their lag behind the Scottish Nationalist Party, although Alex Salmond’s nationalist party are still tipped to emerge with the largest share of the vote on Friday. Labour have downplayed the […]

Labour still optimistic as SNP near power

Despite a consistent poll lead for the SNP, the Labour leader Jack McConnell has insisted there is still “all to play for” ahead of next week’s Scottish election. Mr McConnell predicted Labour would regain its edge over the SNP as the campaign enters its final weekend. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he said many voters […]

Business leaders back union

Labour’s Scottish election campaign has been buoyed by more than 150 business leaders speaking out in favour of the union. After the SNP published its 100 List of business leaders backing the nationalist party, pro-union business leaders have taken out a double page advert in the Scotsman praising the strength of the UK. Although the […]

SNP tax plans ‘scandalous’, McConnell claims

Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell has attacked the SNP’s plans to replace the council tax with a local income tax, branding aspects of it “scandalous”. Mr McConnell acknowledged that council tax is unpopular but insisted it is the most stable way of funding local government. A local income tax would create the “scandalous” situation where […]

SNP unveils business backing

The SNP today attempted to boost its reputation as a serious party by highlighting its business credentials. SNP leader Alex Salmond revealed some 100 business leaders have publicly backed the party, signing up to the statement: “Scotland can be more successful. That is why we are supporting Alex Salmond and the SNP on May 3rd.” […]

Politicians court Scottish families

Politicians have been focusing on families on the Scottish election trail. The SNP unveiled their ‘family-friendly’ policies today, after Labour and the Liberal Democrats made their own commitments to families yesterday. “Hard working families” would benefit from an SNP-led Scotland, the party’s deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon promised today. SNP policies designed to “make life easier” […]

Labour barely survives Scottish Union vote

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) became the focus of the Scottish election campaign today, where Labour narrowly survived a vote on whether the unions should support them at the Holyrood election. That was immediately followed by a further vote concerning Scottish independence in which delegates in line with Labour policy to overwhelmingly reject calls […]

Lib Dems key to Holyrood coalition

The SNP and Liberal Democrats have formed an early coalition over council tax, with the SNP leader heard cheering Lib Dem proposals to scrap the tax. During a televised debate, the SNP’s leader Alex Salmond cried “hear, hear” as Nicol Stephen outlined the Liberal Democrat’s tax plans. Both parties want to abolish council tax and […]