Sturgeon refuses to rule out Tory-SNP coalitions

First Minister insists that May 4 councils vote is not about Indyref

Nicola Sturgeon declined to rule out coalitions with the Conservatives despite saying the election of Tory councillors would be “disastrous” for local services.

The SNP leader used the launch of her party’s council manifesto to warn voters of the danger of allowing services to “slip into Tory hands”.

But she left the door open to local SNP groups forging coalitions, or less formal arrangements, with their Conservative rivals.

The First Minister, who was pitching the local campaign as a head-to-head with the Tories by largely ignoring Labour during the launch, also declared the May 4 vote is not about independence.

Turning to the Westminster election, she said a strengthened Conservative Government at Westminster would try to “crush dissent, silence opposition and steamroller” Scotland.

In a press briefing at the Edinburgh launch, she was asked whether she would countenance supporting Tories in coalition or through other means.

“I don’t want to see the Tories in council chambers and their hands on local services,” she replied. “That is why I’m saying and my message is very clear, and crystal clear, vote SNP.

“We have an election in just under two weeks’ time so the way to keep the Tories out of the control of councils is to vote SNP.”

Asked again if she would forbid deals with the Tories, she said: “I think anybody that looks at the relationships between the SNP and the Tories right now would think that is hugely unlikely.

“But my main message is to say vote SNP to make sure that you get SNP councillors running your councils.”

The six-page national manifesto includes pledges on increasing free childcare, more affordable housing and extending the small business bonus scheme.

It does not refer directly to independence, with Ms Sturgeon claiming that opposition parties are trying to use the local election to pick a fight on the constitution.

“It’s not the SNP that is trying to talk about independence in the local election,” Ms Sturgeon said. “The local elections as far as the SNP is concerned is all about local services.”

The Tories say they struggle to see how their councillors would want to join forces with a party wanting to break up the UK, but said it was ultimately down to local groups.

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “A vote for the Scottish Conservatives at this election will deliver a strong message to the SNP: we don’t want your unwanted independence referendum, we want you to get on with the day job.”

Picture: PA. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon waters plants during a visit to Edinburgh as part of the local government election manifesto launch.