A Sunday Telegraph/ICM poll of 500 voters in the Glasgow East constituency shows the SNP two thirds of the way to victory having closed a 45% gap in 2005 to only 14% - a 15% swing of the 22% required for victory.

SNP Leader Alex Salmond today welcomed the sensational opinion poll results for the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election.

Speaking from the campaign in Glasgow East Mr Salmond said: "This is fantastic news for the SNP as we campaign to win the Glasgow East by-election and backs up the tremendous response to the SNP on doorsteps across this constituency.

"After one week of the campaign the SNP is two thirds of the way to a sensational by-election win.

"This result will give real momentum to the SNP campaign and shows us on track to overturn one of Labour's safest seats and deliver a real victory for people in Glasgow East.

"20 years ago an opinion poll published three days before the Govan by-election put the SNP 20 % behind. With 10 days to go the SNP are closing the gap in Glasgow East and are on course for the political earthquake that will send shockwaves around Westminster."

SNP Candidate Cllr John Mason added: "We have the people and the momentum to win this by-election.  The SNP will continue to work hard today and every day to show we are on the side of people in Glasgow East.

"Voters in Glasgow East understand that it is only a vote for the SNP on 24th July that will send a message to Westminster and bring real change in the failing policies of this Labour government."

Notes:

Results of the Sunday Telegraph/ICM poll of 500 voters in Glasgow East conducted on the 10th and 11th of July are below (change from 2005 General election:

Labour 47% (-14%)
SNP 33% (+16%)
Lib 9% (-3%)
Con 7% (-%)

The figures show a swing of 15% already from the 2005 Westminster election where Labour polled 61% to the SNP's 17%.

In the Govan by-election of 1988 the final opinion poll published 3 days before poll by System 3/Herald-STV showed Labour 20% ahead of the SNP. The SNP won the Govan by-election with a 12% lead.

System 3/Herald-STV Reported 7th/8th November 1988:

Labour - 52.9%
SNP - 33.4%