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.”
Labour last night would not say whether Sir Keir would accept Mr Yousaf’s offer of talks at Bute House.
Shadow Home Secretary Yyvette Cooper said Labour was “not doing deals with the SNP.
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 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.”
