Ed Balls: SNP MPs want to force second indyref

ED Balls has said that a large bloc of SNP MPs would “work night and day” and would “stoke up resentment” in a bid to force a second independence referendum, as the shadow chancellor issued a last ditch plea to Scots not to turn their back on Labour in next week’s election.

Mr Balls said that the SNP would “crave the polarisation” of a fresh referendum during a speech in Glasgow today, as the General Election campaign entered its final 10 days.

The shadow chancellor appeared alongside Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, who warned that sweeping gains for the SNP on 7 May would lead to a “turbo charged” campaign for a second referendum from nationalist MPs at Westminster.

Labour hardened its language about the likelihood of a fresh vote on independence after Ed Miliband yesterday decisively ruled out any kind of pact with the SNP if there is a hung parliament.

Mr Balls suggested there was a very real prospect of a second independence referendum if the SNP make the huge gains the opinion polls have suggested.

He said: “SNP MPs would work night and day to get another referendum.”