Smaller parties back Sturgeon on talks call
PLAID Cymru, Ukip and the DUP joined Nicola Sturgeon in calling on the civil service to open talks with Westminster’s smaller parties before May’s General Election.
The First Minister wrote to Sir Jeremy Heywood, the UK top civil servant, at the weekend to request discussions.
The civil service is already in talks with Labour about what a future government led by Ed Miliband might look like. But the SNP said that with polls pointing towards another hung parliament offi- cials should consult other parties as well.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has now also written to Sir Jeremy, saying: “I understand that the Prime Minister has written to the leader of the Labour Party to offer this opportunity.
“Given the consensus that there could well be a hung Parliament after May 7th and, in that situation, the smaller parties represented in Westminster, like Plaid Cymru, could well hold the balance of power, it makes sense that the offer of civil service contact is extended to political parties.”
A Ukip spokesman said: “While Ukip are not intending to enter into any coalition, it would be sensible for some meetings to take place as the impact of Ukip as part of a possible confidence and supply agreement would need to be discussed and understood by the civil service, who may well have to work in that situation.”
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: “It is right that the civil service prepare in advance for likely outcomes of the General Election.”
A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said that the issue was a matter for the Prime Minister and that there would be a response to Ms Sturgeon’s letter “in due course”.