First Minister John Swinney has accused other parties of running negative campaigns on the last day before the election. Speaking in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Mr Swinney urged voters to vote 'positively' for his party on Thursday, accusing his opponents of campaigning solely to stop the SNP.
Polls Show SNP Ahead
Polls have placed the SNP well ahead in this year's Holyrood election, though some indicate the party may fall short of a majority. Mr Swinney has stated that at least 65 seats on Thursday would be sufficient to increase pressure on Downing Street to grant another referendum on Scottish independence.
Speaking to the Press Association in Hamilton—a town the SNP lost in a Holyrood by-election last year—the First Minister said: 'I want people in Scotland to vote positively for an SNP government that will always be on Scotland’s side. A government that will continue to deliver improvements in our National Health Service, deliver practical support to members of the public on the cost-of-living challenges they face and give Scotland a choice over our own future through a referendum on independence.'
He added: 'My opponents are just asking people to vote for them to stop the SNP, and I ask people to vote positively for Scotland, and for Scotland’s future, by voting for the SNP.'
YouGov Poll Predicts 62 Seats
A major YouGov poll published in the Times on Wednesday predicted the SNP would win 62 seats, three short of the majority Mr Swinney seeks. Responding to the poll, he said: 'We’re going to go all-out to win that majority and we’ll see what the public make of it tomorrow.'
The First Minister highlighted key SNP policies, including a £2 cap on bus fares, a ceiling on the price of essential foods, and £10,000 in joint-equity support for first-time buyers. When asked if failing to secure a majority would be considered a defeat, he replied: 'I’m going to concentrate on winning the election and winning the election is absolutely central to my thinking and my campaign.'
