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SNP set 20-seat Westminster goal SNP set 20-seat Westminster goal
(about 6 hours later)
Alex Salmond is to tell the SNP's spring conference he expects to hold the balance of power at Westminster after the next general election. Alex Salmond has challenged his party to build a Scottish block of at least 20 MPs at Westminster.
The first minister will tell delegates he expects a Tory recovery to result in a hung parliament, which would put the SNP in a key position in London. The first minister was addressing the SNP's spring conference in Edinburgh, marking a year in government in Scotland.
Mr Salmond says that could come by securing 20 seats at Westminster. He told delegates at the conference he wanted to see 20 SNP MPs willing and able to defend the Scottish Parliament and people.
In a BBC Scotland webchat on Saturday, he said: "We could make Westminster dance to a Scottish jig." Mr Salmond said: "We can make Westminster dance to a Scottish jig."