The SNP on Monday claimed Labour is on the run ahead of next year's elections to the Scottish parliament.

As the Herald newspaper published an NFO System Three poll revealing that the SNP has cut Labour's lead to five per cent, the nationalists said Scottish ministers were losing touch with the public.

The party's election co-ordinator Nicola Sturgeon MSP said: "These latest figures highlight a growing lack of confidence in Labour from the Scottish electorate.

"Their programme of privatisation of public services has no support from the Scottish people and the trade unions, and it is evident that they are suffering from the polls today.

The SNP, which has been hit by claims of internal splits and a lack of direction under John Swinney, says it is making "steady progress".

"It's clear that Holyrood is now a two horse race, between the SNP which is growing in strength, and new Labour, who have failed to deliver for the Scottish people."

Labour has also been accused of lacking in policy ideas after it was revealed over the weekend that the party is to sent out 100,000 pre-paid postcards to asking for policy suggestions for its election manifesto.