Jeremy Corbyn is not “credible as an alternative Prime Minister”, Nicola Sturgeon has claimed as the UK Labour leader held a rally in Scotland.
The First Minister did, however, say that the SNP would “look to be part of a progressive alliance” at Westminster if the general election results in a hung parliament.
Recent opinion polls across the UK have shown Theresa May’s lead shrinking, with an ORB survey for the Sunday Telegraph putting support for Labour on 38% – six points behind the Conservatives and more than both Ed Miliband and Gordon Brown returned.
Ms Sturgeon told Andrew Neil as during a BBC interview that “if there was to be a hung parliament of course we would look to be part of a progressive alliance that pursued progressive policies”.
She added: “Let’s get back to the reality of this election. The reality of this election, even with the narrowing of the polls, is that we’re going to face a Tory government perhaps with a bigger majority, so my priority in this election is to say to the people of Scotland if you want Scotland’s interests to be protected and our voice heard you’ve got to vote SNP.”
Asked about independence, Ms Sturgeon said the election would “determine whether the people of Scotland think that whether and when we have a choice about our future should be a decision for the Scottish Parliament or a UK Prime Minister.”
Mr Corbyn attacked the idea of a second independence referendum during his speech in Glasgow’s Candleriggs.
He added: “It’s a tragedy that the SNP have not used the full powers of the parliament to tackle poverty and inequality.”
The Labour leader, who twice singled out Scottish deputy boss and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley for praise, said: “I say directly to those people who voted Tory or SNP: look at our manifesto, listen to our vision…and compare that to the records in government of the SNP in Holyrood and the Tories at Westminster.”
Earlier in the event, one of Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet allies suggested will try to continue as Labour leader even if the party is defeated in the general election.
Elections and campaign coordinator Ian Lavery, who will visit Kirkcaldy on Tuesday, told the rally that “whatever happens” the “Corbyn project” is only beginning.
A Labour source said: “Ian was talking about our transformative manifesto and its policies for the many, not the few.”
