Confident Conservatives have described the battle for the Aberdeen South seat as a “two horse race” and claimed recent council results illustrated they were on course for victory in the city constituency at the General Election.
The Tories have analysed first preference votes given in the council wards of Lower Deeside, Torry and Ferryhill, Kincorth, Loirston and Cove, Hazlehead, Queens Cross and Countesswells and Airyhall, Broomhill and Garthdee.
The party has calculated that a total of 9,237 voters put the Tories down as their first choice, while 7,515 first preference SNP votes were counted.
Liberal Democrats picked up 6,872 while Labour gained 4,407 first votes.
The SNP’s Callum McCaig comfortably won Aberdeen South in 2015 with a total of 20,221 votes ahead of Labour’s Anne Begg on 12,991.
But a resurgent Tory party have said the seat is a key target and have urged Unionist voters to back them.
Tory candidate Ross Thomson said: “These results make it clear that only the Scottish Conservatives are strong enough to take on the SNP in Aberdeen South.
“This area voted emphatically to reject separation in 2014 and needs a strong and effective voice in Westminster, standing up for Aberdeen as we approach Brexit – not one distracted by endless debate on the constitution.”
B SNP incumbent Callum McCaig said: “The Tories clearly think they’ve got this seat won – but voters across Aberdeen South know the strong track record I have from the last two years and I will keep working incredibly hard to make sure that I get the SNP’s positive message across on the door step.
“Since 2015, I have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyone living in Aberdeen South, and only by re-electing me as MP can constituents be sure that they will have a representative who will always stand up for their interests and work to protect jobs, pensions and support the local economy in the face of Tory government cuts.”
Labour candidate Callum O’ Dwyer added: “A vote for Labour is the only way to replace this failing Tory government and stand against a second divisive independence referendum.”