SNP will ‘block change’ across the UK

Jim Murphy is targeting core vote to prevent drift to SNP. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish Labour will publish its manifesto today with a commitment to move towards a living wage, ban zero-hour contracts and to spend £1 billion extra on Scotland’s NHS.

Mr Murphy is expected to suggest SNP gains in the election would prevent such changes by depriving Labour of a majority at Westminster and allow the Conservatives to win the election “by the back door”.

The Scottish Labour leader will also set out a manifesto pledge to guarantee a job and training for long-term unemployed Scots, in a speech in Glasgow.

He will state that Scots have a choice to either “unlock change or block change”, as he makes a direct pitch to Labour supporters considering voting SNP.

And he is expected to claim all Scottish Labour’s manifesto promises could be blocked if the SNP makes major gains and wins the election north of the Border.

He says: “How Scotland votes in the election will decide whether we unlock change or block change for millions of Scots.

“We want working-class Scots to earn more per hour and to have regular hours. So we will raise the minimum wage to more than £8 an hour.”

Mr Murphy will go on to claim that the SNP has resisted plans in Scottish Labour’s manifesto such as a crackdown on zero-hour contracts, a freeze in energy prices and rent controls.

He is expected to say: “We will, despite the opposition of the Tories and Nationalists, use the full power of government to promote a living wage for more workers.

“We will ban the exploitative zero-hours contracts that leave workers hanging on the telephone, unable to plan their lives and support their families

“We want the wages of working-class Scots to go further.”

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SNP will ‘block change’ across the UK - Jim Murphy