A NEW poll shows the SNP are coming close to snatching victory from the LibDems in the Shetland by-election.

The Shetland Times has reported that the LibDem lead has been reduced from 44 points in 2016 to just four points.

The SNP have pulled out all the stops in the by-election with several of the party’s big guns flying in to back candidate Tom Wills.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has made repeated visits during the campaign, said she is confident increasing numbers of islanders are preparing to vote SNP on Thursday, many for the first time.

READ MORE: SNP send in big guns as hopes of Shetland by-election victory rise

A win for the SNP would mark the party’s first parliamentary win there and would be a major humiliation to the new LibDem leader Jo Swinson, who made an early campaign visit to Shetland.

As campaigning intensified this weekend, Wills pledged to take islanders’ concerns to the heart of the SNP Government.
“My focus will be to make life better for everyone on the islands, starting with new help to cut the costs of travel,” he said.

“I started this campaign as the underdog, and I am pleased to have played a part in such a positive and upbeat campaign. With a hard Brexit threatening livelihoods and public services across Shetland, I am delighted that more and more people are moving to the SNP."