Labour’s chances of forming a government could be destroyed by the SNP voting against its Queen’s speech, the party’s depute leader has said.
Stewart Hosie said Nationalist support for what is essentially seen as a vote of confidence in an administration would depend “what’s in it”, amid accusations it could lead to a Conservative government.
It came as senior Labour figures emphatically denied reports that 12 constituencies including three in Fife have been identified as the party’s only chance of salvaging seats in Scotland.
During a radio debate, Labour’s Glasgow South candidate Anas Sarwar asked Dundee East candidate Mr Hosie: “If we put down a Queen’s Speech and don’t discuss, don’t negotiate, don’t deal and don’t do a coalition with the SNP will you vote it down?”
Mr Hosie responded: “It depends what’s in it.” He added: “Anas, this isn’t about bringing things down and voting against things.”
It was reported Labour strategists decided to focus all their attention on just 12 seats where they believe they “still have a fighting chance to win”, identified as Aberdeen South, Edinburgh East, Edinburgh South, Edinburgh South West, East Lothian, Dunfermline and West Fife, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, Scottish leader Jim Murphy’s East Renfrewshire seat, Rutherglen and Hamilton West and Midlothian.
It was denied by one senior Labour source, who said: “It’s utter *****. Do you think we’d have that kind of list without Douglas Alexander’s seat (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) on it?”
Another party insider said the constituencies were talked about as the party’s best chance of winning, although they also identified the Paisley seat, Stirling, and Perthshire South and Ochil.