General Election 2015: How a tactical voting campaign could thwart Alex Salmond
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Version 0 of 1. Alex Salmond faces a backlash in his battle to win Gordon, with Labour and Conservative supporters urged to vote Liberal Democrat to keep Scotland’s former first minister out of the House of Commons. Gordon was held by Sir Malcolm Bruce, the Lib Dems’ deputy leader, since 1983, but he has stepped down to be replaced by journalist Christine Jardine. Mr Salmond is currently favourite for the seat, but Lib Dem strategists believe it will be a close fight, with Labour and Tory voters increasingly saying they will vote for Ms Jardine. A campaign group, United Against Separation (UAS), has been asking voters across Scotland to ignore their loyalties and instead vote for whichever party stands the best chance of beating the SNP in each seat. The group has argued that “tactical voting is a must in Gordon” and has told voters that Ms Jardine is the “best placed pro-UK candidate” to defeat Mr Salmond. A UAS campaign leaflet features a cartoon of Ms Jardine sending Mr Salmond flying after drop-kicking him on the bottom. A Lib Dem minister said: “Alex Salmond makes the argument for tactical voting just by being Alex Salmond. I think we will win it. The campaign is going well. It’s close and could go either way.” The Lib Dems have been widely tipped to lose nearly all of their 11 seats north of the border. But Scottish Lib Dems were buoyed last week after a Survation poll carried out for the party found that consumer affairs minister Jo Swinson is on course to retain East Dunbartonshire. The Independent has got together with May2015.com to produce a poll of polls that produces the most up-to-date data in as close to real time as is possible. Click the buttons below to explore how the main parties' fortunes have changed: All data, polls and graphics are courtesy of May2015.com. Click through for daily analysis, in-depth features and all the data you need. (All historical data used is provided by UK Polling Report) |