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Elaine C Smith and Donald Macdonald back SNP |
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Thursday, 26 April 2007 |
In its latest round of endorsements, the SNP has welcomed the backing of actress and comedian Elaine C Smith and Macdonald Hotels boss Donald Macdonald.
Smith, a native Glaswegian, probably best known for her role as Mary Nesbitt in the BBC sitcom Rab C. Nesbitt, said that although she is not a member of any political party, she will be voting SNP in the coming election.
Party leader Alex Salmond was enthusiastic about Smith’s support, saying: "Elaine's support is a significant boost to the SNP's campaign. Not only is Elaine an outstanding ambassador for Scotland, but she is one of the great talents of Scotland's creative industry.”
Like many voters Smith expressed disenchantment with the campaigning process, saying the way the election has been fought has been a factor in motivating her to speak out: "A lot of how I feel at the moment is due to the negative campaigning.
"I could have gone along quite happily and not come out the closet so to speak, and not said what I thought.
"I think that that negativity is not what Scotland is about anymore.They tried it before devolution, they tried that negative 'No' campaign to any change. And what you are seeing now is people saying this isn't good enough.”
Salmond also welcomed Macdonald's announcement that he was going to vote for the SNP. “This is an extremely welcome and powerful endorsement from Donald Macdonald – one of Scotland’s leading hoteliers and most successful business people.
“He is an influential voice in the business community, and his remarks reflect the views of many, many people across Scottish society, who intend to vote SNP for the first time, because they believe that we will be a successful government and should have the opportunity to serve."
However, the latest Holyrood 2007 poll shows that celebrity endorsements do little to enhance the appeal of parties to the electorate.
Ninety-four per cent of respondents to the question “Does a celebrity endorsement of a political party have any effect on how you will vote?” responded 'no', with only 6 per cent saying 'yes'.
To vote in today’s question, “There is one week to go before the
elections to the Scottish Parliament. Have you made up your mind who
you are going to vote for?”, visit www.holyrood2007.net
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 April 2007 )
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