Election 2010: Labour and SNP campaign against Cameron in Scotland

BOTH Labour and the SNP targeted Conservative leader David Cameron ahead of his campaign visit to Scotland later today.

• Hillary Benn warned that Lib Dem voters would be helping David Cameron's cause - and come to regret that outcome.

Labour cabinet minister Hilary Benn was in Glasgow to warn voters they could regret supporting the Liberal Democrats if it helps Mr Cameron win power.

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The Environment Secretary was in Scotland ahead of a visit by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg to the city this evening, with Mr Cameron also campaigning in Scotland today.

Mr Benn said: "David Cameron is in Scotland today and if people stay at home or vote Lib Dem on Thursday, there's a risk we may see David Cameron standing on the steps of Downing Street on Friday morning, and the truth is the nation doesn't want that."

While he said that "in the end individual voters make their own decisions", Mr Benn added: "If a vote for the Liberal Democrats leads to David Cameron being prime minister a lot of people will regret that.

"I'm asking people to vote Labour because I think our values are right for the country."

He spoke out after two senior cabinet ministers, Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, suggested Labour supporters should vote for the Liberal Democrats in seats where it could keep the Tories out.

SNP leader Alex Salmond steps off the train at Falkirk on a whistlestop tour of the country's key election seats. Picture: PA

Meanwhile First Minister Alex Salmond launched his own attack on David Cameron ahead of the Tory leader's Scottish visit.

Mr Salmond, who was setting off on a whistlestop tour of key constituencies, said support for the Tories was "flat-lining" in Scotland.

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He also accused Mr Cameron of "planning to steal Scotland's cash" with budget cuts and hit out at the Tory leader's "reluctance" to campaign north of the border in the run-up to the General Election.

The SNP leader said: "David Cameron is planning to steal Scotland's cash.

"He has refused for weeks now to give straight answers to straight questions about Tory plans for Scotland's budget – he has ducked and dodged and ducked again, refusing to admit what he has up his sleeve."

But he added: "We know, thanks to his would-be Chancellor George Osborne, that the Tories are planning a special 'Cameron cut' just for Scotland, on top of the savage spending cuts for vital public services that they plan right across the UK.

"Maybe that explains Mr Cameron's reluctance to step over the border during this election campaign – but he will not be able to dodge this issue forever.

"He can run but he can't hide, and sooner or later he will have to tell the people of Scotland exactly what he and his party have planned for this country."

Mr Salmond hit out as he set off from Edinburgh's Waverley station, with the First Minister visiting Linlithgow, Falkirk and Glasgow East – where the SNP secured a dramatic by-election victory almost two years ago.

He said: "The Conservatives know that they are going nowhere in Scotland with their support flat-lining in the polls."

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Labour candidate calls Brown 'worst PM ever'

A Labour parliamentary candidate today dubbed Gordon Brown the worst prime minister Britain has had. According to the Lynn News newspaper, North West Norfolk candidate Manish Sood said: "Immigration has gone up which is creating friction within communities. The country is getting bigger and messier.

"The role of ministers has gone bureaucratic and the action of ministers has gone downhill – it is corrupt.

"The loss of social values is the basic problem and this is not what the Labour Party is about.

"I believe Gordon Brown has been the worst prime minister we have had in this country.

"It is a disgrace and he owes an apology to the people and the Queen."