Pro-remain tactical voting group back SNP candidate

The Ochil and South Perthshire SNP candidate has received a potential boost from a national remain tactical voting campaign.

John Nicolson is to receive support from the‘Vote for a Final Say’group which has released a list of 25 key general election seats where tactical voting could block a Conservative majority and pave the way for a second Euro referendum.

Ochil and South Perthshire is among 25 seats across the UK in which polling has indicated that tactical voting by remain voters could be crucial in the December 12 poll.

Mr Nicolson, the MP for East Dunbartonshire from 2015 to 2017, was recently booed at an Ochil and South Perthshire hustings in Alloa when he forgot the name of the constituency.

He said:“As you know, only the Scottish National Party can beat the Tories here in East Dunbartonshire.”He later described the gaffe as a“slip of the tongue.”

Tory incumbent Luke Graham has a majority of 3359 over the SNP in Ochil and South Perthshire.

The‘Vote for a Final Say’group is recommending that pro-referendum voters back Labour candidates in 17 constituencies, the Lib Dems in seven and the SNP in one.

After receiving the backing from the campaign Mr Nicolson said:“It’s clear only the SNP can beat the Conservatives in Ochil and South Perthshire.

“The election is very close and the outcome could determine the future of the country for a generation.

“I would ask people, including those who do not normally vote SNP, to think very carefully before they vote as every single vote will count.”

Mr Graham said:“The voters in Ochil and South Perthshire are very powerful and should be respected.

“The SNP had an MP in Ochil and South Pertshire before and our constituency was completely disrespected and ignored.”

Scottish Labour’s candidate Lorna Robertson and Iliyan Stefanov, Liberal Democrat, are also contesting the seat.