Labour on wrong side of public priorities

The SNP is setting the policy agenda ahead of this year’s Scottish budget and the 2011 Holyrood elections as a series of opinion poll questions show the SNP is hearing the views of the people of Scotland and responding to their priorities.

A YouGov poll carried out immediately after SNP conference shows that Labour are on the wrong side of the argument, with strong public support for SNP plans to freeze the council tax for two more years – five in total -  and to abolish prescription charges.  Labour has failed to back both policies with Iain Gray specifically calling for council tax to increase.   59% of people back the SNP’s decision to extend the council tax freeze.

In addition, the SNP’s plans to extend the living wage and our call for more financial powers to help grow Scotland’s economy as the only alternative to a dismal decade of cuts from Labour, Lib Dem and Tory London governments have been backed by a majority of Scottish voters with support for the full powers of independence increasing since the General Election.

The YouGov poll questioned 1405 adults in Scotland between 18th and 20th October.

• Asked whether they support ending the council tax freeze, only  35% wanted to see the freeze ended, while 59% support the SNP’s decision to extend it.
• 69% of people support extending the living wage
• 54% support the abolition of prescription charges.
• On more powers for the Scottish Parliament, 56% backed more economic powers to help Scotland recover from recession, whilst support for independence has increased by six points since the General Election, as the need for the Scottish Parliament to have the financial levers required to create jobs, protect economic recovery and offer an alternative to Westminster cuts is recognised by more and more people across the country.

Responding to the public support for SNP policies, Deputy First Minister and SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said: “The SNP is setting the policy direction for 2011 as we respond clearly to the priorities of the people of Scotland.

“On council tax, prescription charges and the powers to grow our economy, it is the SNP that is on the side of the people of Scotland and Labour that are increasingly out of touch.

“We know that UK Government cuts will have a devastating impact for many, but where we can make a difference we will, and the council tax freeze provides relief for hard-pressed families and individuals during tough times.

“The SNP is the only party with a clear commitment to protect family incomes.  By freezing the council tax, delivering the living wage to NHS and government employees and ensuring the sick do not pay for Britain’s broken economy at a time when the UK Government is pushing taxes up and slashing spending, we are turning the unfair policies of successive Labour, Lib Dem and Tory Westminster administrations into a fair system for the people of Scotland.

“And when it comes to taking responsibility for Scotland’s future, more and more people living in Scotland agree that we can achieve much more as a nation if we have the same powers as other countries.  The economic and financial levers of independence would give us the ability to create jobs, deliver sustained growth, and chart a different path from a decade of dismal Westminster cuts.

“It is only right that at such a difficult time the SNP does what we can to protect the poorest in our society, and I’m delighted that the vast majority of Scots, regardless of political persuasion, agree with us and want to join us in making Scotland better.

“Over the coming weeks and months the SNP will continue to listen to the priorities the public share with us through ourbepartofbetter.net website, and while the Labour party offer nothing we will set out further details of the policies we will pursue in government now and at the election.

Notes:

Details of the poll are below:

YouGov / SNP Survey Results

Sample Size: 1405 Scottish Adults

Fieldwork: 18th - 20th October 2010

Council tax has been frozen in Scotland for the past three years, saving a typical Band D household £5.30 a month. Some councils would now like to end the freeze and increase council tax to meet the cost of providing public services in the face of spending cuts. Would you support or oppose an end to the freeze on council tax in your local area?

• Support end to council tax freeze: 35%
• Oppose end to council tax freeze: 59%

Plans have been announced to introduce a “living wage” in Scotland for public sector workers of a minimum of £7.15. Which of these statements comes closest to your opinion?

• The living wage should be introduced: 69%
• The living wage should not be introduced: 19%
• Don’t know: 12%

Plans have been announced for Scotland to abolish prescription charges. Which of these statements comes closest to your opinion?

• Prescription charges should be abolished: 54%
• Prescription charges should remain in place: 40%

The Scottish Parliament currently has only limited economic powers. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion?

• More economic powers for the Scottish Parliament would help Scotland recover from the recession: 56%
• More economic powers for the Scottish Parliament would make no difference to the recovery from recession: 44%

Note: the headline figure excludes 13 per cent ‘Don’t knows’

The SNP wishes to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in due course. Voters would be asked whether they agree or disagree 'that the Scottish government should negotiate a settlement with the Government of the United Kingdom so that Scotland becomes an independent state. How would you vote if such a referendum were held tomorrow?  (May 2010)

• I would vote YES (i.e. for Scottish independence): 35%  (+6)
• I would vote NO (i.e. against Scottish independence): 50% (-8)
• Don’t know: 13%

If you had to choose, which of the following do you think would make the better First Minister of Scotland?

• Alex Salmond: 41%
• Iain Gray: 24%
• Don’t know: 35%