SNP’s ‘stick with Labour’ plea to voters

SNP tacticians are urging a select group of local voters to keep backing the Labour candidate in a ploy aimed at locking out the Conservatives.

The unusual approach emerged in targeted mailshots sent out i n Montrose.

It hinges on the i dea that committed Labour supporters won’t budge – but might consider using their second and thirdchoice votes for their local SNP candidates.

Labour currently has no seats in Angus, while the SNP gained nine councillors i n the 2017 election and the Tories eight.

Despite the nationalists being the largest local party, the Conservatives are in power along with independent and Lib Dem councillors.

The tactical leaflet was shared on Twitter by Montrose Labour hopeful John Ruddy, who joked that “even the SNP agree” voters should back his party next week.

It reads: “Angus Council has no representation from Scottish Labour and the council is divided between representatives of the SNP and ConservativeIndependent administration.

“The majority of the current administration hold right-wing views and are unsympathetic towards those in our society who are struggling.

“If you are intending to vote Labour in this election then we simply wish to invite you to consider giving your second and third preferences to our SNP candidates.”

However, this goes against official advice from the SNP about other parties in the election.

The Angus SNP group shared a post on Facebook urging voters to use only their first and second preferences.

Angus SNP deputy leader Bill Duff admitted the local party was trying to use the STV voting system “intelligently”.

Scottish Conservative local government spokesman Miles Briggs MSP said: “This is a pretty desperate appeal by t he SNP to try to shore up their vote in Angus.”