SNP ahead of Labour for first time for Westminster election - two thirds want Scottish Independence in EU and Scots want John Mason to win Glasgow East by-election

The Scottish National Party hailed the findings of a YouGov poll in the Daily Telegraph today [Friday], which for the first time puts the SNP ahead of Labour in voting intentions for a UK General Election.  The figures are (change from the 2005 election in brackets):

SNP: 33% (+15)
Lab: 29% (-11)
Con: 20% (+4)
Lib Dem: 14% (-9)

Last October, for example, Labour had a lead of 42% to 27% for the SNP in the YouGov poll.

The poll also shows that 66% of Scots want Scotland to become an independent member of the European Union.

In addition, the poll shows that Scots want the SNP to win the Glasgow East by-election:

49% want the SNP's John Mason to win. 33% want Labour's Margaret Curran to win.

SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:

"This is a hugely significant poll - showing the SNP ahead of Labour for the first time for a UK General Election, and 15 points up on the 2005 result .

"It is a breakthrough poll, which demonstrates the political earthquake that is underway in Scotland.

"It is the first test of opinion in Scotland since the Glasgow East by-election was called, and gives the SNP a 16 point lead in terms of who people want win.

"That is a massively encouraging finding, which will fuel the SNP's campaign and have Labour quaking in their boots.

"The poll is a fantastic springboard for a successful SNP campaign in Glasgow East.

"The SNP are 'on your side', and this poll shows that the people are on the SNP's side - which is why I believe we can secure a sensational victory in Glasgow East on 24 July.

"The poll shows that two-thirds of Scots want Scotland to become an independent member of the European Union, with only 11 per cent supporting London representation - which has let key Scottish interests, such as the fishing industry, down so badly over so many years.

"Support for independence is growing, with the status quo now a minority position in Scotland.  The System Three poll in last week's Sunday Herald showed independence and the status quo neck-and-neck.

"Only the SNP are offering Scots the right to choose independence in a referendum in 2010 - the other parties are all over the place on the issue - and we are confident of a successful result for Scotland."

Notes:

The full figures for who Scots want to win the Glasgow East by-election are:

John Mason, SNP 49%Margaret Curran, Labour 33%
Tory 9%
LibDem 6%
Others 3%

On Independence in Europe:

11% believe that Scotland should continue to be represented by the UK in the EU
66% believe Scotland should become an independent member of the EU
17% believe we should leave the EU
5% don't know

The poll sample was 1,131 adults across Scotland between 8-10 July