The SNP has welcomed a poll that gives them a seven point lead over Labour in Scotland.
The Ipsos-MORI survey of voting intentions published in this week's Holyrood magazine gave the nationalists a seven per cent lead in the Scottish parliament and two per cent lead in Westminster.
Among those certain to vote the SNP's lead increases to 13 per cent for Holyrood and six per cent for Westminster.
The party claimed that if the poll result was replicated across Scotland they would increase their number of MPs from seven to 26.
"A number of senior Labour MPs would face electoral defeat, including chancellor Alistair Darling and ex-defence secretary Des Browne," the SNP said.
"Both Scotland Office ministers - Jim Murphy and Ann McKechin – would also lose their seats."
If the results were replicated at a Westminster election the SNP would secure the biggest share of Scottish seats in the Commons.
The poll was taken after the controversial decision of Scotland’s SNP justice minister Kenny McAskill to free the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, on compassionate grounds and allow him to return to his Libyan homeland.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
Bob
15th Sep 2009 at 7:17 pm