NewsSNP by-election claims dismissed By Campbell Gunn LABOUR’S lead in Glasgow East has been cut to just four per cent, the SNP claimed last night. Party officials now believe the result could depend on the turnout on Thursday. And the winner of the by-election could even depend on the weather. The SNP have dismissed polls which show them trailing Labour, and insist private polling puts the parties neck and neck. With the Labour Government currently so unpopular, Labour voters may not be motivated to turn out on Thursday, and a rainy day may deter even more. Plans The news ministers are planning to force long-term unemployed people to work for benefits may also damage Labour, in a constituency where there are several thousand people in this situation. The “work for dole” scheme, due to be published tomorrow, would require people to carry out full-time activities which would benefit both themselves and their community. First Minister Alex Salmond said, “With five days to go, we’re confident the momentum is with the SNP, and our support has doubled since the start of the campaign. “We are confident we can provide the shock to the political system the people of Scotland and Glasgow East need. “The increasing band of SNP supporters are going to vote, and the dwindling band of Labour supporters are not,” he declared. Over the next few days, voters will receive a letter from former Labour supporter and shipyard trade union organiser Jimmy Reid, backing SNP candidate John Mason. “I know many people in the East End have voted Labour all their lives, and after years of loyalty to Labour, deciding to vote for another party is not easy,” Mr Reid said. “I was a member of the Labour Party for years, until I came to realise voting Labour wasn’t in Scotland’s interests any more.” Crucial weekend The SNP’s claim to have 1000 activists on the streets of Glasgow East over this crucial weekend was dismissed by Labour. “We don’t believe for a second the SNP will attract 1000 activists this weekend,” said MP David Cairns. “Last week they claimed to have 500 activists at a rally, but the photo reveals there were less than 150. “So everyone should treat with extreme caution these fanciful SNP boasts. “Whilst the SNP spends time peddling ludicrous claims about their activists, we are out on the doors of the constituency speaking to every voter we can.” A Labour spokesperson added, “The Labour campaign is aiming to contact 20,000 voters over the weekend — that’s not a boast, it’s a target we will achieve.” Liberal Democrat candidate Ian Robertson signed a petition to save Parkhead Fire Station. He said, “People here do not want to see life-saving services cut.” Meanwhile, Tory candidate Davena Rankin was joined by Scottish leader Annabel Goldie and shadow Scottish Secretary David Mundell on walkabouts. UK-WIDE the Labour Party is trailing the Conservatives by more than 20 points, according to a poll. The ComRes survey puts the Tories on 45 per cent — up one point from last month — and Labour on 24 per cent (down two). Labour’s score is the lowest recorded by ComRes since it started polling in 2004. |
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