Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Banff and Buchan MSP, Stewart Stevenson welcomed the result of the latest ICM opinion poll for the Scotsman newspaper which gives the SNP a clear lead on both questions - ahead by 5 points in the constituency vote and 4 points in the regional list vote. [In October 2006, the same poll gave the SNP a 2 point lead on the first question, and level with Labour on the second.]
The poll also shows support for independence ahead, with 46% in favour to 44% against.
The full results of the poll as published this morning are:
Constituency Vote (%): SNP 34, Labour 29, Tories 16, LibDems 16, SSP 1, Others 3
Regional Vote (%): SNP 32, Labour 28, Tories 15, LibDems 17, Green 4, SSP 2, Others 2
Local MSP Stewart Stevenson said:
"I am delighted with this poll. It confirms that the SNP are in the driving seat in this campaign.
"More and more voters are supporting our positive policies to build a successful Scotland. The SNP are working hard to earn the trust of the Scottish people, with policies to make Scotland wealthier, healthier and safer. We are delighted that more and more Scots share our ambition for Scotland.
"We are ahead for three reasons. A positive campaign will always win over a negative campaign, a Scottish campaign will beat a London-based campaign and Alex Salmond is Scotland's choice for First Minister over Mr McConnell.
"Far from Labour closing the gap, as they have been claiming, we are consolidating our lead with only two months to go until polling day.
"Labour's campaign is in substantial disarray.
"Perhaps this explains why Mr McConnell is hiding away rather than publicly debating head to head with Alex Salmond.
"It's time for a fresh approach to meeting Scotland's challenges and opportunities. It's time for an SNP Government with Alex Salmond as First Minister."
NOTE: ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,004 Scottish adults aged 18+ by telephone on 23-26 February.
