THE SNP could win every seat in Scotland, according to a new poll which predicts that Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives could lose all their Scottish seats at Westminster.
The poll by Ipsos MORI for STV showed the SNP up two points to a new high of 54 per cent with Labour dropping four points to 20 per cent.
This 34-point lead, the Electoral Calculus website says, would see the SNP win every single one of Scotland’s 59 constituencies.
Other, more conservative websites predicted the SNP would take 58 out of Scotland’s 59 seats.
The SNP’s Deputy Leader Stewart Hosie gave the poll a cautious welcome: “The SNP’s message to everyone in Scotland – people who voted No last year, as well as those who voted Yes, and people who are considering voting SNP for the first time – is that together we can unite to make Scotland stronger and the UK more progressive.
“By voting SNP, we can make Scotland’s voice heard like never before.
“This record poll shows that our positive campaign to make Scotland stronger at Westminster by electing a team of SNP MPs is gaining momentum, but we are working hard for every vote because we take absolutely nothing for granted.
“More anti-Tory MPs than Tory MPs in the House of Commons means that we can lock David Cameron out of Downing Street – so voting SNP delivers a strong voice for Scotland and progressive policies for the whole UK, including an end to cuts.” The poll was taken in a week where Labour’s campaign strategy focused on warning voters about the possibility of a second referendum. The message was repeated during the week with high-profile interventions from Gordon Brown and Ed Balls. Despite STV’s poll showing that this warning has had little impact on the electorate, the party still believe it is the key way to get voters to swing back behind Labour.
Responding to the poll, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Kezia Dugdale said: “The choice facing Scots next week is clear. We can vote for Labour to take the road to a fairer and better nation for working class families. Or we can back the SNP and go down the road to another referendum. When there is so much inequality in our country, the priority right now just can’t be another drawn out referendum campaign.
“A vote for anyone other than Labour makes it more likely the Tories will be the largest party across the UK and that Cameron will walk back into Downing Street.
‘‘That would be a disaster for Scotland, but it’s what could happen if this poll is repeated on election day. We can’t afford to take that gamble with the future of Scotland.”
The poll, taken between April 22 and April 27, showed an increase in support for the Scottish Conservatives who were up five points to 17 per cent, just three points behind Labour. The Liberal Democrats are up one point to five per cent and the Greens at two per cent. Ukip remain at one per cent.
The poll found 80 per cent of the Scottish electorate are certain to vote, up from 64 per cent in the 2010 general election.
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