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Poll bucks trend with Labour lead Poll bucks trend with Labour lead
(about 4 hours later)
Labour is four points ahead of the SNP in the constituency vote for the Holyrood elections, a poll for The Herald newspaper has suggested.Labour is four points ahead of the SNP in the constituency vote for the Holyrood elections, a poll for The Herald newspaper has suggested.
Market research company MRUK questioned 1,000 people across Scotland by telephone between 22 and 27 March.Market research company MRUK questioned 1,000 people across Scotland by telephone between 22 and 27 March.
It put Labour is on 38%, the SNP on 34%, the Liberal Democrats on 15%, the Conservatives on 10% and others on 3%.It put Labour is on 38%, the SNP on 34%, the Liberal Democrats on 15%, the Conservatives on 10% and others on 3%.
This bucks the trend of recent polls which have suggested a substantial SNP lead over Labour in constituency votes.This bucks the trend of recent polls which have suggested a substantial SNP lead over Labour in constituency votes.
The Herald poll suggested that about 50% of those questioned had not yet decided who would get their vote.The Herald poll suggested that about 50% of those questioned had not yet decided who would get their vote.
Three polls conducted at the same time and two after it all show the SNP with a clear lead Angus RobertsonSNP campaign managerThree polls conducted at the same time and two after it all show the SNP with a clear lead Angus RobertsonSNP campaign manager
Almost two thirds of the undecided said they were either very likely or certain to cast a ballot.Almost two thirds of the undecided said they were either very likely or certain to cast a ballot.
The poll also put Labour 2% ahead of the SNP on the regional vote, by 37% to 35%, with the Lib Dems on 14%, the Tories on 10%, the Greens on 3% and others on 1%.The poll also put Labour 2% ahead of the SNP on the regional vote, by 37% to 35%, with the Lib Dems on 14%, the Tories on 10%, the Greens on 3% and others on 1%.
Professor James Mitchell of Strathclyde University said the poll findings would translate into 55 seats for Labour, 45 for the SNP, 18 for the LibDems, 10 for the Tories and one for the Greens.Professor James Mitchell of Strathclyde University said the poll findings would translate into 55 seats for Labour, 45 for the SNP, 18 for the LibDems, 10 for the Tories and one for the Greens.
The Herald's Scottish political editor, Douglas Fraser, told BBC Scotland that it was only the second poll this year which had put Labour ahead.The Herald's Scottish political editor, Douglas Fraser, told BBC Scotland that it was only the second poll this year which had put Labour ahead.
"It possibly is a helpful reality check to the SNP about how close this race is," he said."It possibly is a helpful reality check to the SNP about how close this race is," he said.
The Nationalists' campaign manager, Angus Robertson, said the poll was "well past its sell-by date".The Nationalists' campaign manager, Angus Robertson, said the poll was "well past its sell-by date".
This poll proves that there is still everything to play for Labour spokesmanThis poll proves that there is still everything to play for Labour spokesman
"Three polls conducted at the same time and two after it all show the SNP with a clear lead," he said."Three polls conducted at the same time and two after it all show the SNP with a clear lead," he said.
"And a new poll-of-polls analysis for the last two months shows the SNP six points ahead on both questions, which is the strongest pre-election position the SNP have ever enjoyed.""And a new poll-of-polls analysis for the last two months shows the SNP six points ahead on both questions, which is the strongest pre-election position the SNP have ever enjoyed."
However, a spokesman for Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell said: "This poll proves that there is still everything to play for.However, a spokesman for Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell said: "This poll proves that there is still everything to play for.
"We will be using every minute of every day between now and 3 May to contrast our plans to grow the economy by investing in education and young people with the SNP plans to wreck the economy and cost families more by separating Scotland from the rest of the UK.""We will be using every minute of every day between now and 3 May to contrast our plans to grow the economy by investing in education and young people with the SNP plans to wreck the economy and cost families more by separating Scotland from the rest of the UK."
The poll suggested that 54% would not back independence in a referendum, while 46% would be opposed. The poll suggested that 54% would not back independence in a referendum, while 46% would support it.
SNP leader Alex Salmond was six points ahead of Mr McConnell when people were asked who they thought would make the best first minister.SNP leader Alex Salmond was six points ahead of Mr McConnell when people were asked who they thought would make the best first minister.