April 10, 2005

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Labour party holds a significant lead in Scotland, according to a poll by MORI released by STV. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in Britain's next general election.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Labour party holds a significant lead in Scotland, according to a poll by MORI released by STV. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for Labour in Britain's next general election.

The Conservative party is in second place with 18 per cent, followed by the Liberal Democrats with 15 per cent and the regional Scottish National Party (SNP) with 12 per cent.

On Apr. 5, prime minister Tony Blair asked Queen Elizabeth II to dissolve Parliament and called a general election for May 5. Blair leads the Labour party into his third nationwide vote, after victories in 1997 and 2001.

SNP leader Alex Salmond launched his party's campaign on Apr 6—the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath. The statement—tabled in 1320—includes a commitment to Scotland's sovereignty. Salmond said he wants Scotland to "stand in equality with the other countries of the world."

In the general election, the number of Scottish representatives in the House of Commons will be reduced from 72 to 59. A total of 646 parliamentarians will be elected.

Current chancellor of the exchequer Gordon Brown—who will run in Scotland's Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency—has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Blair.

Polling Data

How would you vote if there were a general election tomorrow?

Labour	47%
Conservative	18%
Liberal Democrats	15%
Scottish National Party	12%
Other	5%

Source: MORI / STV
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 934 Scottish adults, conducted in February and March 2005. No margin of error was provided.