Tory MP Hair claims SNP want Marxist as PM for independence

POLITICS: Angus representative says alliance would sell Scottish unionists down the river

“We need to make sure we stop a nodeal Brexit. IAN BLACKFORD

The SNP would put a “Marxist in Number 10” for independence, the Scottish Conservatives have claimed.

Westminster leader Ian Blackford said yesterday the SNP could offer its support to a Jeremy Corbyn minority government in exchange for a section 30 order.

A section 30 order is a mechanism in the Scotland Act 1998 which can, temporarily or permanently, grant legislative authority to the Scottish Parliament in certain areas.

Angus MP Kirstene Hair said the move would sell “unionists down the river”.

The SNP and the Lib Dems have discussed working with Labour on a “progressive” basis, with one SNP source saying opposition parties have spent the majority of the summer recess in closed-door discussions on how to prevent the prime minister from pushing through a no-deal Brexit.

As well as the suggestion of a minority Labour government, a “national unity government” could also be proposed.

A party source told The Courier if Labour falls short of a majority after an election, they “will not be making deals, pacts or coalition agreements with any party”.

When asked on Sunday Politics Scotland if a condition of co-operation with Labour would be a section 30 order, Mr Blackford said: “It is absolutely the case.

“Everything we have seen in Westminster shows the people of Scotland have to have the right to determine their own future, which means we have to have that section 30 and putting it in the hands of the Scottish Parliament.

“We made it quite clear in 2015 and 2017 we are not looking for a coalition.

“We are looking at working with others on a progressive basis. We need to make sure we stop a no-deal Brexit.”

Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said: “Jeremy Corbyn and no-deal are both bad options. Our position is Jeremy Corbyn does not have the support in parliament needed to run an interim government of national unity.

“We need someone who can demand the respect of parliament.

The opposition parties are trying to find a strategy to take us ahead.”

When asked who could lead a government of national unity, Ms Jardine said former Conservative MP Kenneth Clarke was a name voters were familiar with.

Ms Hair said: “Ian Blackford has confirmed the only priority for the nationalists is another independence referendum.

“They are prepared to prop up a Marxist in Number 10 to achieve that goal.

“A deal between Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn would quite simply sell unionists in Scotland down the river.”

Picture: PA. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford confirmed a condition of co-operation with Labour would be a section 30 order.