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Parties ponder Holyrood options SNP begins coalition discussions
(about 4 hours later)
Scotland's political leaders are meeting to consider their options after the Holyrood election. The SNP has begun informal coalition talks after the party became the largest in the Scottish Parliament.
The result left the SNP as the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, edging ahead of Labour by one seat. The election gave the Nationalists a total of 47 seats, beating Scottish Labour by just one seat.
The first meeting of the SNP's new parliamentary group of 47 MSPs is due to take place on Saturday. Meanwhile, Labour extended a hand to other parties, but said it would not rush into making a judgement on forming the next Holyrood government.
On the same day, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens will be considering whether or not to enter coalition talks with the Nationalists. Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Greens are considering whether or not to enter into discussions with the SNP.
The three parties have a combined total of 65 seats - just enough to form a majority at Holyrood. The three parties would have a combined total of 65 seats - just enough to form a majority at Holyrood.
The Greens would support the SNP's policy of a referendum on independence, but such a move would be opposed by the Lib Dems.The Greens would support the SNP's policy of a referendum on independence, but such a move would be opposed by the Lib Dems.
It will be a chance to talk with the MSPs and discuss our plans to take Scotland forward and our parliament forward SNP spokesman Scottish Labour stands ready to work with others who want to make devolution work Scottish Labour statement
BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said the Lib Dems seemed to be feeling disinclined to do a deal of any sort after a "relatively bruising" experience at the polls. BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said the Liberals seemed to be feeling disinclined to do a deal of any sort after a "relatively bruising" experience at the polls.
Senior sources said the party may prefer to concentrate for now on rebuilding their own prospects outside government.Senior sources said the party may prefer to concentrate for now on rebuilding their own prospects outside government.
SNP leader Alex Salmond would prefer a coalition deal - but it is thought he will give the LibDems and the Greens space to consider their options. SNP leader Alex Salmond said his party had begun exploratory coalition talks.
Mr Salmond will attend the party's meeting at its Edinburgh headquarters. "We've had conversations informally, but there's been no formal negotiations as yet," he said.
"It will be a chance to talk with the MSPs and discuss our plans to take Scotland forward and our parliament forward," said a party spokesman. "During the election we expressed a preference for a coalition and that's certainly my preference."
'Moral authority' In a statement agreed by Labour MSPs at a meeting in Glasgow, the party recognised the SNP's victory, but also claimed there was a large majority against Scottish independence.
The poll results left the SNP with 47 seats, Labour with 46, the Tories with 17 and the Lib Dems with 16. "Scottish Labour stands ready to work with others who want to make devolution work," said the statement.
"We recognise our responsibilities to the people of Scotland and to those who voted Labour on Thursday. This election result demonstrates that the people of Scotland do not want separation to be Scotland's national priority."
A first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election
The statement went on to say: "Given the divided parliament and the uncertainty created, Scottish Labour recognises it would be wrong to make an immediate judgement about our stance on the next steps towards the formation of the next Scottish government."
The election left the Tories with 17 seats and the Lib Dems with 16.
There are two Green MSPs and one independent, Lothians list MSP Margo MacDonald.There are two Green MSPs and one independent, Lothians list MSP Margo MacDonald.
Mr Salmond said Labour had lost the "moral authority" to govern, but Labour leader Jack McConnell replied that the SNP did not have the moral authority to pursue "separation".
"While I recognise that the SNP are the largest party by the narrowest of margins, Alex Salmond must himself recognise that he does not have a majority in the Scottish Parliament or anywhere near a majority of the vote," said Mr McConnell.
Running systems where you've got to put crosses against some candidates' names, numbers against other candidates' names is bound to be confusing Alistair DarlingTrade and Industry Secretary
"Moral authority in the parliament will only come through different parties working together in the majority."
Under the Scotland Act, a new first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election.Under the Scotland Act, a new first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election.
However, the election was marred by technical problems, delays and a high level of spoiled ballot papers. The Electoral Commission has launched an inquiry after the election was marred by technical problems, delays and a high level of spoiled ballot papers.
The Electoral Commission has launched an inquiry into the problems.
'Complex' system
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he had concerns about the complexity of the voting system when he was Scottish secretary.Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he had concerns about the complexity of the voting system when he was Scottish secretary.
"We need to get to the bottom of what exactly the problem was," he said.
"But my hunch is what is wrong is that the system is complex. Running systems where you've got to put crosses against some candidates' names, numbers against other candidates' names is bound to be confusing.
"When you've got 100,000 people who turn up to vote, and have got every reason to believe their preference will be taken into account, to find that these are disqualified that is clearly totally unsatisfactory."