Dundee LibDems welcome news that young voters flocking to the Liberal Democrats (Dundee Liberal Democrats)

Dundee Liberal Democrats <info@dundeelibdems.org.uk>

Dundee LibDems welcome news that young voters flocking to the Liberal Democrats

March 12, 2007 1:36 PM

Michael Charlton, Dundee West Liberal Democrat candidate

Michael Charlton welcomes news that young voters are flocking to the Liberal Democrats

Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Monday 12th March) welcomed news that polls predict the Liberal Democrats in Scotland will gain the support of increasing numbers of young voters.

A Scottish ICM poll has been published which showed the Liberal Democrats on course to gain seats in six regions of Scotland with eight weeks still to go. ICM has now posted the details of the poll on their website and it shows an especially strong showing for the Liberal Democrats amongst young people.

For the 18-24 age group the Liberal Democrats are ahead of all other parties for the Regional Vote. We poll 32% compared to 22% each for Labour and the SNP, 11% for the Conservatives and 10% for the Greens.

This confirms a pattern from previous polls: the Liberal Democrats are polling best amongst young people.

At the last Scottish Parliament election, around 290,000 young people aged 18-34 voted - although turnout from this age group was about half of the rest of the population. If this turnout went up towards the average, then according to this ICM poll there would be 93,000 extra votes for the Liberal Democrats. This is roughly 12,000 in every Region.

It would be enough to win extra MSPs in the North East Scotland, Mid Scotland and Fife and West of Scotland regions. It would also move the party within touching distance of gaining more Central Scotland and Glasgow MSPs.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen MSP said, "The strong Liberal Democrat stand against the war in Iraq and in favour of action on climate change, together with a positive attitude to the role of young people in Scotland are convincing growing numbers of young people.

"We already know that people of all ages are prepared to swing to the Liberal Democrats as the election approaches."

Here in Dundee, Liberal Democrat Scottish Parliamentary candidate for Dundee West, Michael Charlton, said, "The Liberal Democrats topped the poll in the school mock elections in 2005 with 42% of the vote. There is absolutely no doubt that young people see the Liberal Democrats as the party of the future."