Corbyn refuses to rule out a deal with the Nationalists

JEREMY Corbyn yesterday failed to rule out an informal deal with SNP only days after Nicola Sturgeon vowed to help him into power.

The Labour leader has rejected the idea of forming a coalition with the SNP, but would not say whether he would work with the party on a ‘confidence and supply’ deal.

Such an agreement could see the Nationalists backing a minority Labour government at Westminster on votes of confidence and legislation, which authorises the Government to spend money.

Miss Sturgeon has said her party would work with Labour to help them into power in the event of a hung parliament – despite claiming Mr Corbyn would not be ‘credible’ as Prime Minister.

At a press conference yesterday Mr Corbyn was asked by the New Statesman’s George Eaton: ‘You’ve ruled out a coalition with the SNP; will you also rule out a confidence and supply arrangement or any kind of deal to keep the Tories out?’

Mr Corbyn replied: ‘George, I think you spend too much time in Westminster. You should get out a bit more.

‘I really believe that because what you would see outside is a very different story – the enthusiasm, the step-change, and the whole ambition of people to win this election for Labour, to elect a Labour government with a majority to carry out what will be an agenda that will radically improve the lives of so many people.’

Earlier this week Mr Corbyn said that he would ‘open discussions’ with the SNP over a second independence referendum if he is Prime Minister after next week’s election. He has further insisted that a vote should take place if desired by the Scottish parliament, but claimed it should happen after the Brexit process.

This is in stark contrast to the position of Labour’s Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale who claimed Mr Corbyn and his colleagues would block any SNP attempt to hold another divisive vote.

Mr Corbyn’s remarks came only weeks after Scottish Labour’s manifesto made it clear the party will ‘never’ support independence. Labour’s UK manifesto for the General Election is also opposed to a second referendum, describing it as ‘unwanted and unnecessary’.

But earlier this year Mr Corbyn said he would be ‘absolutely fine’ with a referendum being held if the Scottish parliament voted for one – but added that he would ask the SNP to ‘think very carefully’ about pressing ahead with its bid to break up Britain.

Tory leader Ruth Davidson last week claimed Mr Corbyn’s language suggested he was willing to ignore the wishes of his Unionist supporters in Scotland in order to grab power at Westminster.