MHAIRI Black has said the SNP would "drag the Labour Party to the left" in a hung parliament - as analysis suggests the SNP could hold the balance of power at the next election.
With elections experts saying Labour could yet fail to form a majority government – despite their gains in the English local elections – the party's deputy leader in Westminster said: "Voting SNP is the best way to lock the Tories out of Scotland - and a strong team of SNP MPs would put Scotland in the driving seat of a minority UK government".
Black added: "At the next election, voting SNP is the best way to lock the Tories out of Scotland. A strong team of SNP MPs would put Scotland in the driving seat of a minority UK government - and ensure the power to determine Scotland's future is transferred to Edinburgh.
"With Keir Starmer's pro-Brexit party becoming increasingly indistinguishable from the Tories, the SNP would drag the Labour Party to the left and demand real change.
"Starmer's flip-flopping U-turns on Brexit, tuition fees, nationalisation, electoral reform, and so many other issues shows he can't be trusted. The SNP would keep Labour honest, ensure a strong voice for Scotland - and progressive change across the UK, including investment in the NHS and public services.
"Voting SNP would put the choice over Scotland's future in Scotland's hands, ensure the cost of living crisis becomes the main priority of Westminster, and rebuild our relations with Europe."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here