Nicola Sturgeon: SNP is open to 'progressive alternative' with left-leaning parties in event of hung Parliament

'If there was to be a hung parliament, if the parliamentary arithmetic allowed it, then I would want the SNP to be part of a progressive alternative to a Conservative government'

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is open to forming a “progressive alternative” to the Conservatives with left-leaning parties if the election delivers a hung Parliament.

The Scottish First Minister, who is also leader of the SNP, said she could work with Jeremy Corbyn on an “issue by issue” basis if Labour emerged the largest party in a hung parliament.

Her comments come after Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, said that while Labour was hoping to win the election outright the party would attempt to form a minority government if the situation arises following an inconclusive election result in 6 days’ time.

Earlier this week YouGov, a polling firm, suggested Britain could be heading into hung Parliament territory next week despite other polls giving Theresa May’s party a commanding lead.

But Ms Sturgeon added she is “sceptical” about whether the need will arise for an informal deal with Labour, as she predicted the Conservatives will emerge victorious at the election. She also ruled out a formal coalition – in line with the other major parties – but said she would work other left-leaning parties on a case-by-case basis.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ms Sturgeon said: “If there was to be a hung parliament, if the parliamentary arithmetic allowed it, then I would want the SNP to be part of a progressive alternative to a Conservative government.

“Not in a coalition, I don't envisage any formal coalitions, but on an issue-by-issue basis to put forward progressive policies and to see a progressive agenda.”

In an address to the party faithful in Basildon, Essex, Ms Thornberry added: “We're fighting to win and we're fighting to win with a majority and that's what we're fighting to do. If we end up In a position we're In a minority, we will go ahead and we will put forward a queens speech and a budget“

“And if people want to vote for it then good, and if they don't want to vote for it they're going to have to go back and speak to their constituents and explain to them why it is that we have a Tory government instead

“If we are the largest party, we go ahead - no deals - with our manifesto and our budget and our queens speech. And that's the conversation we've had, isn't it? That's it. “

Ms Sturgeon also said Scotland could play a “pivotal and decisive role” in determining the size of the predicted Tory majority.

She added: “My reading of the polls says that Theresa May and the Tories are still on the track to win this election but they are no longer certain to get a bigger majority in this election, and actually in that scenario Scotland becomes centre stage and potentially has a pivotal and decisive role to play because it could be the case that what determines whether or not Theresa May has a bigger majority is the outcome of the election in Scotland.”