Menu
Thu, 3 October 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Energy
By Lord Brady
Education
By Robert Buckland
Press releases

Nicola Sturgeon hints at 'progressive alliance' with Jeremy Corbyn to 'lock Tories out of government'

2 min read

Nicola Sturgeon has hinted she could join forces with Jeremy Corbyn in a "progressive alliance" after a snap election.


The SNP leader said she was open to a potential tie-up between her party and Labour to "lock the Tories out of government".

But she said Mr Corbyn would need to take "a very firm anti-Brexit position" before any deal could be struck.

Ms Sturgeon also ruled out a full-blown coalition between the two parties as she condemned the Labour leader's approach to Brexit since the 2016 EU referendum.

Speaking to The Guardian, Ms Sturgeon said: “I have fought two general elections now as SNP leader, and, in both of them, I have been pretty candid.

“We would always want to be part of a progressive alternative to a Tory government. That remains the case.”

Pressed on whether she would rule it a deal with Labour, Scotland's first minister said: “Look, I think in politics you’ve got to be careful. But it would not be my intention, to go into a formal coalition.

"I said that in 2015 and 2017 – that’s not a new thing. But some kind of progressive alliance that could lock the Tories out of government…”

Ms Sturgeon added: “It wouldn’t be a blank-cheque type scenario. We would want Jeremy Corbyn to take a very firm anti-Brexit position.

“We would look to do what was right for Scotland.”

Despite being open to the possibility of an electoral pact, the SNP leader said she was "no great fan of Jeremy Corbyn".

She said: "I think his lack of leadership on Brexit in particular…well, if we do crash out without a deal, he will bear almost as much responsibility as Theresa May or Boris Johnson."

But a Labour spokesman said: "Labour will not countenance a coalition or pact with other parties.

“We are campaigning to form a Labour government that will invest in communities and public services in all the regions and nations of the UK.”

Responding to Ms Sturgeon's criticisms of Mr Corbyn, the spokesman added: "In Parliament, Labour has led the way on cross party work to block no deal.

"We backed an amendment for a close economic relationship with the EU to break the deadlock and put a stop to no deal, which was defeated because the SNP went back on their own policy and failed to support it."

PoliticsHome Newsletters

PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Read the most recent article written by Alain Tolhurst - Arts Minister Says ‘Watch This Space’ On Dynamic Ticket Pricing After Oasis Uproar

Partner content
Connecting Communities

Connecting Communities is an initiative aimed at empowering and strengthening community ties across the UK. Launched in partnership with The National Lottery, it aims to promote dialogue and support Parliamentarians working to nurture a more connected society.

Find out more