THE South Swindon seat is being pinpointed as one of the key battlegrounds in next year’s General Election by a leading Conservative pollster.

A report by Lord Michael Ashcroft, who has polled 1,000 voters in the constituency, reveals some interesting potential development sin voter trends for those hoping to secure the seat in next year’s vote.

Lord Ashcroft’s projection would currently see a tie between the Conservatives and Labour.

Conservative Robert Buckland currently holds the seat and Anne Snelgrove is the Labour candidate.

Robert said: “I have never taken anything for granted in Swindon and I’ve always been working on the assumption that the election will be hard fought.

“This poll, taken two or three weeks ago, is no indication of exactly how things will go and shows that work needs to be done.

“I aim to show the people of Swindon that I have a lot more to give and want to build on the last few years.”

Meanwhile, Anne said that Lord Ashcroft’s research offers encouragement that Labour can take the seat.

She said: “Lord Ashcroft's poll comes as no surprise, I have always said South Swindon will be a very close call between Labour and Conservatives at the General Election.

“Voters face a very big choice next year and I know many people have not yet made up their minds which way to vote.

“There is all to play for and Labour is still in the game.

“A vote for Labour is the only choice to save the NHS, freeze energy bills and have a balanced economic recovery in Swindon which doesn’t take us back to the 1930s.”

Lord Ashcroft’s report also showed UKIP would poll about 20 per cent in South Swindon, when voters were asked how they would vote ‘tomorrow.’ To see the full report visit www.lordashcroftpolls.com.