Commenting on the SNP’s European election victory, the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party and Deputy First Minister Ms Nicola Sturgeon pointed out that, across the UK, the SNP are the only party to make a significant advance at the expense of Labour, with a 10 point surge since the last European election – the biggest vote increase in the history of the European elections in Scotland, and one of the largest increases in any Scottish election.

And the swing from Labour – at nearly 8 per cent to the SNP – was the biggest in Scotland anywhere in the UK, and double the swing from Labour to the Tories UK-wide.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The SNP are the party of government in Scotland, and our victory in the European election is a positive endorsement of the SNP and a positive vote for our record in government.

"The SNP vote surged by 10 points – the only party in the UK to record a major advance at the expense of Labour – resulting in the biggest swing from Labour anywhere in the UK, and double the swing from Labour to the Tories UK-wide.  It is the biggest increase in any party’s share of the vote in the history of the European elections in Scotland, and one of the largest increases in any Scottish election.

"The SNP fared far better not just than the discredited Westminster government, but better than governing parties across Europe.  And along with Labour, the Tories and Liberals also declined in Scotland.

"The people of Scotland like what they are getting from the SNP government –action to fight recession, the Council Tax freeze, business rates cuts, and record police numbers – and delivered a positive vote on that basis.

"And they want a strong Scottish voice to protect and promote our interests, which is why the SNP won this election, and why we have the opportunity to deliver a block of 20 or more SNP MPs at the next election."