Originally published March 22 2011

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond has claimed that he can “count on the SNP” attracting a portion of the student vote at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.

Speaking on the BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland, Mr Salmond countered the accusation that he would not live up to his election promise to avoid the introduction of tuition fees in Scotland.

He said, "I think you can count on the SNP being pretty strong in the student vote at this coming election,” citing that it was the SNP who re-introduced free university education for Scottish students in 2007.”

Salmond suggested that additional funding for universities could come from further efficiency savings.

Lothians SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville told The Student, “Based on a track record as the only party to have consistently opposed fees and taxes, the SNP will continue our engagement with students up to and beyond election day.”

In response to the claim, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Margaret Smith MSP told The Student, “Alex Salmond’s arrogance in claiming the SNP have secured the student vote is breathtaking.

“The Liberal Democrats take no-one’s vote for granted. We will be campaigning hard, talking and listening to students between now and the election.”

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray MSP said, "Alex Salmond is making a big mistake if he thinks he has the student vote in the bag as they won't be fooled by empty promises.

He added, “We'll be working hard for every vote and recent opinion polls put support for Labour ahead of the SNP in the 18-24 age group.”

Liam Burns, President of NUS Scotland welcomed the commitment of the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party against tuition fees in Scotland but also said, “No party should take the student vote for granted.”