The SNP will fight the largest doorstep and digital election campaign Scotland has ever seen, the Deputy First Minister said as he issued a final rallying call at the party’s conference.
John Swinney, the SNP’s election campaign director, called on supporters to “fight hard to win in every seat” as he brought the event in Glasgow to a close.
He outlined a strategy based on traditional doorstep campaigning, coupled with a digital plan to reach every internet user in Scotland by May 5.
He also emphasised the party’s key message – “BothVotesSNP” – a mantra which was a running theme of the conference.
“I want to make absolutely clear that in this election, the SNP is fighting for every vote, in every seat in Scotland,” he said.
“Unlike other parties, we don’t believe in safe seats. We don’t believe in target seats
“Because to believe in safe seats is to take for granted the support of some. And to believe in target seats is to ignore others.
“So we fight hard to win in every seat we contest.”
He continued: “I can promise you the most comprehensive campaign we have ever fought.
“Our campaign will be built on the foundations of traditional doorstep campaigning – house by house throughout the country – that has been the hallmark of the Scottish National Party.
“But we will also add to that a stronger digital campaign to expand the scale, the scope and the reach of our message of hope and aspiration for Scotland.
“Our digital plan will have the aim of reaching every single internet user in Scotland by polling day.
“That is what we have to offer. A campaign driven by the largest doorstep and digital election campaign Scotland has ever seen with a clear and specific purpose – to re-elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister, to re-elect the SNP Government – and to do it by using BothVotesSNP.”
Polling puts the SNP on course to win another majority at Holyrood, with the party expected to take almost all of the 73 constituency seats on offer.
If this were to happen, the electoral system would make it more difficult for the party to make significant further gains in the 56 regional list seats, while others, including the Scottish Greens are targeting the second votes of SNP supporters.