SNP might ‘make life difficult’ for Starmer with out co-operation, Yousaf warns
T
he SNP might “make life very difficult” for Labour after the subsequent basic election if Sir Keir Starmer doesn’t co-operate with it, Humza Yousaf has mentioned.
The Scottish First Minister mentioned a requirement for a second independence referendum could be “top of the list” of his occasion’s requests if Labour wants assist forming a authorities at Westminster.
The Labour chief has repeatedly mentioned he is not going to do a cope with the SNP after the election.
During an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg present, Mr Yousaf mentioned independence can be “front and centre” of the SNP’s marketing campaign for the vote.
He spoke of his want to develop help for independence, saying: “I don’t want to be there or thereabouts, I want independence to be the consistent, settled will.
“At the moment, for example, it’s pretty obvious that independence is not the consistent, settled will of the Scottish people.”
Asked whether it is reasonable that Scotland will stay a part of the UK for an additional 5 years, he mentioned: “Not if I’ve got anything to do with it.”
The SNP chief additionally mentioned he has spoken to former first minister Nicola Sturgeon not too long ago and mentioned she is “in a good place and doing well”.
He continued: “Why would I not want to get some advice from arguably one of the best politicians, the most impressive politicians, Europe has seen over the last couple of decades?”
On the overall election anticipated subsequent yr, he mentioned the SNP is not going to prop up a Tory minority authorities, however famous minority governments typically need assistance passing budgets.
Mr Yousaf mentioned: “We would never prop up a Conservative government, ever. Underline that, put that in bold.
“But, of course, if Labour do not want to co-operate with us, then we would make life very difficult for them.”
This might embrace on the legislative course of and the passing of budgets, he mentioned.
Mr Yousaf, who succeeded Ms Sturgeon as SNP chief and First Minister in March, additionally dominated out a suggestion from Alex Salmond that pro-independence events ought to kind an alliance on the basic election.
Later this month, SNP members will collect for a particular conference to debate the way in which ahead of their push for independence.
Scottish Labour deputy chief Jackie Baillie mentioned: “Humza Yousaf is just the latest high-profile member of the SNP to admit they’d usher in a Tory government.
“That threat is a betrayal to the people of Scotland, who are dealing with soaring living costs and falling wages.
“The next election is about getting rid of this morally bankrupt Conservative Government and delivering on Labour’s promise of lowering bills, strengthening workers’ rights and investing in the green jobs of the future.
“The SNP have made clear where their priorities lie – and that’s to make life difficult for an incoming Labour government.
“Only Labour can boot the Tories out Downing Street and deliver the change that people across Scotland are crying out for.”