ONLY ONE PER CENT TRUST MILIBAND ON POWERS

The SNP has welcomed a new poll showing "superb" trust ratings for the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon on more powers – as Labour’s woes in Scotland continue with only one per cent of people trusting Ed Miliband most to deliver extensive new powers.
 
The TNS poll published today shows the SNP is the most trusted party to deliver new powers for Scotland by 37 per cent of respondents – more than double Labour’s figure of just 15 per cent.  Of senior party figures, Ed Miliband is trusted most by only one per cent of voters – compared to 24 per cent for Nicola Sturgeon, who tops the poll.
 
These figures will only increase the pressure on the embattled Labour leader Johann Lamont – as the whispering campaign against her “deeply unimpressive” leadership continued this week.
 
Today’s poll also confirms the positive impact of the referendum – with 55 per cent of people under 35 saying the referendum has made them more likely to vote in the future, and almost a third of people are likely to get involved in public debates on local or national issues.
 
Commenting, SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay said:
 
"This poll is more significant evidence of the positive role the referendum has played in re-energising democracy in Scotland - with people more likely to vote and get involved in politics in future.
 
"That more than double the number of people trust the SNP than Labour to deliver the powers Scotland needs - and only one per cent trust Ed Miliband - is a demonstration of how weak Labour's position in Scotland now is. These are superb trust ratings for the SNP, and particularly Nicola Sturgeon.
 
"People in traditional Labour heartlands such as Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire simply cannot forget Ed Miliband's and Johann Lamont's toxic alliance with the Tories in the No campaign - and are switching to the SNP in huge numbers.
 
"With the incredible surge in SNP membership and the new spirit of democratic participation unleashed by the referendum, we are now in an incredibly strong position to hold Westminster to account on the extensive new powers Scotland was promised.
 
"The big increase in political awareness and participation this poll shows should serve as a stark warning to the Westminster parties that they must keep their vow on substantial new powers to enable us to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy - otherwise they will pay a very heavy price at the ballot box."