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SNP 'favour' coalition government SNP 'favour' coalition government
(10 minutes later)
SNP leader Alex Salmond has said he would prefer to form a coalition government if his party is the largest after the Scottish Parliament election. SNP leader Alex Salmond has said he would prefer to form a coalition government if his party was the largest after the Scottish Parliament election.
Opinion polls suggest strong support for the SNP but it is unlikely they will have an overall majority. Opinion polls suggest strong support for the SNP but it is unlikely it will have an overall majority.
Labour's Douglas Alexander said support for the SNP was up but backing for independence had gone down. Labour's Douglas Alexander dismissed claims his party would unite with the Tories to stop the SNP gaining power at Holyrood on 3 May.
The Libs Dems and the Scottish Tories said independence would lead to constitutional instability. Tory MP Malcolm Rifkind said there were "all sorts of possible combinations".
Overall majorityOverall majority
Mr Salmond was speaking on BBC's Sunday AM as the latest poll suggested the highest level of support yet for his party ahead of 3 May poll.Mr Salmond was speaking on BBC's Sunday AM as the latest poll suggested the highest level of support yet for his party ahead of 3 May poll.
The TNS System Three poll indicated the SNP with 39% on the constituency vote and 36% on the list.The TNS System Three poll indicated the SNP with 39% on the constituency vote and 36% on the list.
Labour, which formed a coalition executive with the Liberal Democrats during the previous two parliaments, was put at 34% on the constituency vote and 25% on the list preferences.Labour, which formed a coalition executive with the Liberal Democrats during the previous two parliaments, was put at 34% on the constituency vote and 25% on the list preferences.
It is the fourth poll in a week to give the Nationalists an outright lead over Labour.It is the fourth poll in a week to give the Nationalists an outright lead over Labour.
Political expert Professor Bill Miller calculated that the poll results would leave the SNP with 51 seats of the 129 seats at Holyrood.Political expert Professor Bill Miller calculated that the poll results would leave the SNP with 51 seats of the 129 seats at Holyrood.
Prof Miller said Labour would have 44 seats, the Lib Dems 16, the Tories 13, the Greens four and the SSP just one.Prof Miller said Labour would have 44 seats, the Lib Dems 16, the Tories 13, the Greens four and the SSP just one.
There are all sorts of possible combinations we can get when no party has an overall majority Sir Malcolm RifkindScottish Conservatives Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander ruled out a Labour-Tory pact
The SNP's 51 seats would leave them 14 short of an overall majority, but it would be possible it could govern as a minority executive.The SNP's 51 seats would leave them 14 short of an overall majority, but it would be possible it could govern as a minority executive.
Mr Salmond said: "I would prefer coalition as opposed to running alone. We have had discussion with the Greens which very amicable and fruitful.Mr Salmond said: "I would prefer coalition as opposed to running alone. We have had discussion with the Greens which very amicable and fruitful.
"They do not look to be in goverment. They are prepared under certain circumstances to support a government from outwith it." "They do not look to be in government. They are prepared under certain circumstances to support a government from outwith it."
He also stated a financial case for independence. He said: "Under devolution, Scotland controls 15% of its revenue.He also stated a financial case for independence. He said: "Under devolution, Scotland controls 15% of its revenue.
"In Europe with independence, we would control 99% of revenue.""In Europe with independence, we would control 99% of revenue."
Independence referendumIndependence referendum
Douglas Alexander, Transport Secreatry and Secretary of State for Scotland, said his party was winning the argument about independence. Douglas Alexander, Transport Secretary and Secretary of State for Scotland, said his party was winning the argument about independence.
He said: "We have a competitive fight on our hands. We are determined to focus our campaign, not simply on the positive agenda we want to offer.He said: "We have a competitive fight on our hands. We are determined to focus our campaign, not simply on the positive agenda we want to offer.
"But to highlight the strategic choice that Alex Salmond made when addressing the Scottish National Party conference when he could have put independence on the backburner and instead set out the agenda for tax raises and constitutional turmoil.""But to highlight the strategic choice that Alex Salmond made when addressing the Scottish National Party conference when he could have put independence on the backburner and instead set out the agenda for tax raises and constitutional turmoil."
Responding to reports that Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell would appeal to the Tories to help prop up a minority Labour administration after the elections, Douglas Alexander MP said the coalition prospect had no "credence".
There are all sorts of possible combinations we can get when no party has an overall majority Sir Malcolm RifkindScottish Conservatives
He said: "Our entire focus is on getting the maximum number of seats and votes come 3 May."
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a Scottish Conservative and MP for the constituency of Kensington and Chelsea, told the programme: "There are all sorts of possible combinations we can get when no party has an overall majority.Sir Malcolm Rifkind, a Scottish Conservative and MP for the constituency of Kensington and Chelsea, told the programme: "There are all sorts of possible combinations we can get when no party has an overall majority.
"The big question about independence is do we want to condemn Scotland to 10 years of constitutional stability." "The big question about independence is do we want to condemn Scotland to 10 years of constitutional instability."
Nicol Stephen, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, has previously spelled out his party's stance on an independence referendum.Nicol Stephen, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, has previously spelled out his party's stance on an independence referendum.
He said: "If there is a majority in the parliament after 3 May for parties in favour of independence, of course they can proceed to the next step as they want to deliver independence, and that's through a referendum.He said: "If there is a majority in the parliament after 3 May for parties in favour of independence, of course they can proceed to the next step as they want to deliver independence, and that's through a referendum.
"But the Liberal Democrats don't believe in independence and we don't support a referendum - and can you think of a single party or government which promoted a referendum on an issue it doesn't support?""But the Liberal Democrats don't believe in independence and we don't support a referendum - and can you think of a single party or government which promoted a referendum on an issue it doesn't support?"