Miliband rules out coalition but First Minister says SNP can play "constructive role" in UK

Today Labour leader Ed Miliband ruled out a formal Labour-SNP coalition in the event of a hung Parliament, after pressure from the Conservatives that Labour was trying to get into power "on the coat tails" of the SNP. "There will be no SNP ministers in any government I lead," he said.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the position was "totally fine", because "formal coalition with seats in the UK government has never been our preference anyway."

But earlier Sturgeon used a speech to the London School of Economics to promise an increased SNP presence at Westminster would contribute “clear and constructive views” to UK policy.

“If we get the opportunity, we intend to be a constructive voice in the months and years ahead,” she added. “We won’t just serve Scotland’s interests - though we will most certainly do that.

“But we will seek do more than that - we will also seek to play our part in bringing about positive, long-lasting and progressive change right across the UK.”

However, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie dismissed the suggestion and said the Liberal Democrats had ensured a stable coalition at Westminster.

“It is farcical to suggest a party which is sworn to break up the UK would be capable of bringing positive change for the UK,” he said.

“If the First Minister’s idea of positive change is breaking NHS waiting time targets, increasing school class sizes and misjudgements on the economy then I suspect people will reject her plans.”

Sturgeon also used her speech to say the UK Government should assess its budgets based on the impact decisions made will have on inequality.

Speaking ahead of the Chancellor’s final budget of this UK parliament, Sturgeon said the budgetary process should be more transparent.

“The current UK budget process needs to be made much more open,” she said.

“Complete transparency won’t always be possible. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, better consultation would lead to better decisions.

“In particular, the budget should be opened up to proper scrutiny in terms of its impacts on equality.”