Labour ‘is not planning alliance with SNP’

Labour is “not planning alliances” with the SNP “or anyone”, the party’s national campaign coordinator has said.

Pat McFadden said a change in SNP leader “doesn’t make much difference” after Humza Yousaf announced his resignation as first minister last Monday.

Asked if he “could imagine” Labour and the SNP working together if his party does not win a majority at a general election, Mr McFadden told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips “no”.

He said: “Our aim is to win a majority, to govern, to meet the mood for change, and we’re not planning any alliances or pacts with anyone.”

Mr Phillips questioned if Labour would “rule-out the idea of co-operation” with the party and Mr McFadden responded: “You can put it to me from now until Christmas and my answer will be the same

“We’re going to aim for a majority government.

“We are going to meet that mood for change.

“We’re not planning on any pacts or alliances with anyone and I think – after the results of the last few days – we go into that fight with no complacency, but with a belief and confidence that we’ve seen in the votes that were cast a few days ago.”

Asked if he would have been happier if the SNP had kept Mr Yousaf as leader, Mr McFadden said: “I don’t think it matters who the SNP leader is now, because I think there has been a big change.

“I don’t think it makes much difference because in Scotland just as in England there is a mood for change.

“In Scotland, just as in England, there is a tired government that has run out of steam and run out of ideas.”