SNP plot Labour pact with leader Humza Yousaf inviting Keir Starmer for talks
THE SNP last night invited Labour for talks about how they can “work together” after the general election - sparking fears of a "dirty deal".
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf extended the olive branch to Sir Keir Starmer to discuss their “shared interests”.
He unveiled a wishlist including taking Britain back into the EU’s trade bloc and another independence referendum.
Sir Keir has previously ruled out doing any pact with the SNP if he falls short of an overall majority.
But Tories last night jumped on potential talks as the first signs of a “dirty deal” that could emerge.
Mr Yousaf yesterday said Sir Keir was “undoubtedly” going to be the next PM and spied a chance to “establish a working relationship”.
In an appeal to the Labour leader he even said: “SNP MPs will work with you.
He added: "When it comes to Keir Starmer being the next prime minister of the United Kingdom, which I think he absolutely will be, I should say I'm very willing to work with an incoming Labour government.”
On Monday morning Labour confirmed Sir Keir would not be accepting the invitation for a meeting at Bute House.
Shadow Home Secretary Yyvette Cooper on Sunday said Labour was “not doing deals with the SNP.
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She told the BBC: “The important thing is to have a Labour government elected, to get rid of the Conservatives where everything feels broken right across the country.”
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith told The Sun: “This correspondence just goes to show that you can’t trust Labour or the SNP not to do some sort of dirty deal.
"A Labour government, propped up by the SNP, puts the union at risk and also raises the prospect of rejoining the EU.
“Both parties are committed to extreme and impractical net zero policies that simply make people colder, poorer and would plunge the country into debt.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “Scots are crying out for change not just from the Tories but from the SNP.
"From a culture of secrecy and cover-up to life-threatening failures in our NHS, Humza Yousaf’s party is failing working people.
“Humza Yousaf should spend less time commenting on elections and more on fixing the mess the SNP have made.
“Not a single vote has been cast - Labour has no complacency over the coming election.
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"Only a Labour government can deliver the change that Scotland and all of the UK needs.”
A Tory source said: “Humza and Keir having cosy talks should be enough to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who wants to protect our precious union and who doesn’t want to pay more tax to fund Labour’s £28 billion spending spree.”
