Public support for the SNP is soaring on the eve of the second anniversary of the Party's rise to power in Scotland.

The lead is well ahead of anything the Party has experienced in recent months - seven points for Holyrood at constituency level and nine points for the regional list vote.

On "best First Minister" rating, the SNP's Alex Salmond wins by 36% to 7% against Labour's Iain Gray, who was outpolled by the Tories' Annabel Goldie on 10%. The SNP leader is even more popular among Labour voters than Mr Gray, the findings suggest.

The results showed the SNP at their best level for six months and Labour at their worst in that period.

The poll conducted for the SNP by Yougov questionning 1020 people on 21 and 22nd April 2009 shows:

* The SNP increasing its vote in the constituency and regional votes for the Scottish Parliament

* The SNP vote for Westminster elections increasing by 12% , bringing the party neck and neck with Labour

* Twice as many people trust the SNP Scottish Government to focus on their needs and interests as trust the UK Labour Government

* Alex Salmond’s ratings dwarfing other party leaders with Iain Gray’s ratings figures not only lower than Annabel Goldie’s but historically lower than any other Scottish Labour leader.

* Voters of all parties see the SNP holding the balance of power in
Westminster as a "good thing" for Scotland

Commenting on the poll figures Angus Robertson MP, SNP Business Convener and Westminster leader, said:

“This is a sensational poll for the SNP and for Scotland. As we approach the mid term of the Parliament, they are the SNP's strongest ratings since last autumn.

“The poll shows that voters across Scotland know that we have what it takes to focus on their needs and interests during tough times.

“As the SNP approaches the second anniversary of our historic election victory, the poll demonstrates a tale of two governments.

“The SNP’s actions in our first two years in Government have delivered major improvements in people's lives, with the council tax frozen, scrapping of small business rates, the phased abolition of prescription charges, and investment in jobs and skills under our six-point plan to support Scotland through the recession.

"By contrast, Labour's £500 million raid on Scottish spending has set the terms of politics in Scotland, and will galvanise SNP support further in the European and Westminster elections to come.

"Labour have let people down with their mismanagement of the economy and attacks of Scotland's public services.

“Double the number of people trust the SNP Government over the UK Labour government to be on their side. The SNP’s support for jobs, skills, training and investment is clearly recognised by voters as doing everything possible within our powers to promote recovery from Labour’s recession and build a strong, sustainable economy and society.”