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Salmond hints at SNP backing for minority Labour government Salmond hints at SNP backing for minority Labour government
(about 3 hours later)
Alex Salmond has hinted that the Scottish National party would be prepared to set aside the convention that its MPs do not vote on laws that only affect England in order to support a minority Labour government at Westminster.Alex Salmond has hinted that the Scottish National party would be prepared to set aside the convention that its MPs do not vote on laws that only affect England in order to support a minority Labour government at Westminster.
Such a move – on a “vote by vote” basis – could put Ed Miliband into Number 10 Downing Street even if Labour was not able to secure an outright majority. It would infuriate the Tories who could argue that Scottish MPs were pushing through legislation for which there was no majority in England.Such a move – on a “vote by vote” basis – could put Ed Miliband into Number 10 Downing Street even if Labour was not able to secure an outright majority. It would infuriate the Tories who could argue that Scottish MPs were pushing through legislation for which there was no majority in England.
Currently, SNP MPs at Westminster abstain on English-only legislation.Currently, SNP MPs at Westminster abstain on English-only legislation.
Salmond pointed to two pieces of legislation not directly affecting Scotland which he opposed when he was an MP, namely the introduction of foundation hospitals and tuition fees.Salmond pointed to two pieces of legislation not directly affecting Scotland which he opposed when he was an MP, namely the introduction of foundation hospitals and tuition fees.
In an interview with the Independent he said: “There will be many things that come across the Westminster desk that would be of little moment to Scottish people, but will be of great moment to the government of the day.”In an interview with the Independent he said: “There will be many things that come across the Westminster desk that would be of little moment to Scottish people, but will be of great moment to the government of the day.”
Salmond said he would “lay odds” on a balanced parliament, also known as a hung parliament, which occurs when no party secures an absolute majority. Salmond said he would “lay odds” on a hung parliament, which occurs when no party secures an absolute majority.
“That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised,” he said.“That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised,” he said.
But Salmond reiterated his vow not to prop up a Conservative administration. “We won’t give succour, help, assistance to the Conservative party and the reason is David Cameron waltzing out of Downing Street and showing his true face the morning after the referendum,” he said.But Salmond reiterated his vow not to prop up a Conservative administration. “We won’t give succour, help, assistance to the Conservative party and the reason is David Cameron waltzing out of Downing Street and showing his true face the morning after the referendum,” he said.
Last month, Salmond formally stepped down as SNP leader and first minister following September’s independence referendum result.Last month, Salmond formally stepped down as SNP leader and first minister following September’s independence referendum result.
He announced earlier this month his bid to return to Westminster and was unveiled as a candidate for the SNP nomination for the Gordon constituency in Aberdeenshire.He announced earlier this month his bid to return to Westminster and was unveiled as a candidate for the SNP nomination for the Gordon constituency in Aberdeenshire.
Salmond hopes to steal the seat from the Liberal Democrats, with current Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce retiring in May.Salmond hopes to steal the seat from the Liberal Democrats, with current Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce retiring in May.
The former first minister told the Independent that a “barrel-load” of SNP MPs would win seats at the 2015 general election.The former first minister told the Independent that a “barrel-load” of SNP MPs would win seats at the 2015 general election.
He added that the SNP’s key objectives in any negotiations at Westminster after the election would be to ensure the UK’s political leaders keep their pledge to transfer powers to Scotland.He added that the SNP’s key objectives in any negotiations at Westminster after the election would be to ensure the UK’s political leaders keep their pledge to transfer powers to Scotland.