Tory-Labour pact will mean meltdown for both, says Salmond

Predictions of a loss in Labour seats at next year's Scottish Parliament elections have led to talks of possible coalitions between all the major parties in an attempt to gain power.

Yesterday, it was revealed the Tories may even be prepared to back the Labour party on certain issues in a David Cameron- inspired move away from "Punch and Judy" politics.

But the SNP dismissed the suggestion as "mutually assured destruction" for both parties.

The SNP have ruled out a coalition with the Tories but might consider joining forces with another political party. The Greens and Lib Dems also appear open to the idea of a coalition in what is looking to be an increasingly colourful Parliament in 2007.

Speaking at the meeting of the SNP's national council in Perth this weekend, Mr Salmond said the unpopularity of both Mr Blair and Jack McConnell, the First Minister, would lead to a loss in Labour votes in May.

"For fifty years Labour have ruled the roost in Scotland even when they lost elections down south," he said. "Now for the first time there is a growing expectation that Labour will lose a Scottish election. That is a historic moment in Scottish politics, a real tipping point."

Angus Robertson, the MP for Moray, and mastermind behind the party's recent by-election success was chosen to lead the SNP's campaign next year.

A loss of Labour seats or a refusal by the Lib Dems to form a coalition could lead to a slim majority for Labour, opening up the possibility for another party to form a coalition.

Yesterday, the Tories said they would be prepared to vote with other parties on certain topics in return for concessions in other areas of policy as part of forming a "principled opposition".

But Mr Salmond said the move would put off both Labour and Tory voters.

"The message is that a failing Labour party are to be propped up by the Tories in order to keep the council tax and impose nuclear dumps on an unwilling Scottish population."

However, Murdo Fraser, the Tory spokesman, said the plan was about a more mature politics for Scotland that would see the Tories exerting influence wherever possible.

"This is not about propping up any political party, rather it is about creating a new politics in Scotland where issues are debated and agreements reached based on the majority support on an issue-by-issue basis," he said. "This is preferable to cosy coalitions deals done behind closed doors; the four-year government decided in advance.

"The Scottish Tories will fight next year's election to maximise our influence in the next parliament."

A Labour Party spokesman also refused to discuss plans for coalition, preferring to concentrate on the coming election.

The party has named 58 candidates for the list section of next year's election, including seven Asians, Anas Sarwar - the son of Britain's first Muslim MP, Mohammad Sarwar - and George Foulkes the former chairman of Hearts football club and an ex-Ayrshire MP.

"The other parties may be obsessing with coalitions but the Labour Party wants to concentrate on the next election," the spokesman said.

John Curtice, a professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said a hung parliament is more likely than in any previous Scottish election, meaning most parties are thinking about coalition. "What everybody has come to appreciate is we cannot necessarily assume Labour/Lib Dem will have a majority or that Labour/Lib Dem will come to deal. In those circumstances clearly the make up of the next administration is up for grabs."

Prof Curtice said it was just a case of arithmetic to see who benefits. "It is not so much a case of Scotland on tipping point but the UK has tipped, in effect we have a government that is behind the Tories for the first time in 15 years and that could have an impact on the Scottish election.

"The interesting question is who will pick up the spoils?"