This makes it number one on the SNP s target list, although Labour seem hopeful that some of the local factors that contributed to the 1999 result, including dissatisfaction with the city council, are no longer important issues.
"Clearly the Republican opposition has made a dent, and there's no question about that, but at the same time I think there's just a dissatisfaction" with some of the nation's policies, Chaloupka said.