West of Scotland SNP MSP Stuart McMillan welcomed the recent Survation poll which showed SNP standing at 46.3 per cent in West Scotland – with support for Labour falling to 23.5 per cent.

The Tories had 13.5 per cent support while the Lib Dems had only 1.7 per cent.

Mr McMillan said: “While we are taking nothing for granted and will be working hard for every vote, this is another very encouraging poll showing the SNP enjoying strong support across the West of Scotland – while Labour/Liberal Democrats are clearly paying the price for their toxic alliance with the Tories.

“Just last week, Labour MPs meekly voted along with the Tories for another £30bn of austerity cuts – so it is no wonder that so many of their former voters are putting their faith in the SNP as the only party who will always stand up for Scotland’s interests.

“It’s also clear that there is widespread support for the greatest possible devolution of powers to Holyrood.

“But the Westminster government simply isn’t willing to give Scotland the powers we need to build a more equal society and more competitive economy – and that is why we need a strong team of SNP MPs elected next May to hold them to account, and ensure that they finally deliver on their vow to Scotland.

“Left to their own devices, Labour would continue with austerity. With a strong group of SNP MPs holding the balance of power at Westminster, we can ensure that Scotland’s voice is heard and use our influence positively to end austerity economics, free Scotland of Trident nuclear weapons, and secure the powers we need to build a fairer, more prosperous country.” But Dumbarton and the Vale’s MSP Jackie Baillie pointed out analysis of the poll, carried out for a national newspaper, show the figures predict West Dunbartonshire Labour MP Gemma Doyle will retain her seat.

Ms Baillie told the Reporter: “Local SNP members will find it difficult to understand why Stuart McMillan has chosen to highlight a poll that actually predicts a Labour victory in West Dunbartonshire.

“Most people in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven want to get rid of the Tories and this year’s general election is a clear choice between a Labour government or five more years of David Cameron. “A vote for the SNP would be a gift to the Tories, letting David Cameron in through the back door.

“The only way to get a government that will abolish the bedroom tax, deliver substantial new powers to the Scottish Parliament and use a mansion tax on rich property owners to improve our NHS is to vote Labour. Only Labour can stop the Tories and I will be working hard with Gemma Doyle MP to show how we can deliver the changes working people in West Dunbartonshire so badly need.” Ms Doyle added: “I will be fighting for every vote in the run up to the next General Election. There is a clear choice in May between electing a Labour or a Tory Government, and I know people in West Dunbartonshire want to see the back of David Cameron.

“If elected, the Labour Party will increase the minimum wage to £8 an hour, we’ll raise taxes for the richest – something the SNP don’t support, and we’ll introduce a tax on homes worth over £2million to fund an extra 1000 new nurses in Scotland. We’ll also scrap the bedroom tax for good.

“Every vote will count in deciding whether it is Ed Miliband or David Cameron who forms a Government on May 8 2015.”