 a coalition with the Tories “would be better than one with the SNP”, while Robert James McNeill, a member of Labour’s Scottish policy forum and vice-chairman of East Lothian constituency Labour Party, suggested on Twitter that Labour voters in 16 Scots constituencies should vote for the Tories or Liberal Democrats in a bid to stop votes going to the SNP.

Stuart’s comments will be unpopular among the Labour party hierarchy north of the Border, which has been campaigning on the anti-nationalist platform that voting SNP will help return the Tories to power.

While Labour rubbished Stuart’s comments – describing them as “utter nonsense” – they are not as far-fetched as party bosses suggest. Vince Cable, the LibDem Business Secretary, made comments similar to Stuart’s in January, saying: “We may have to prepare ourselves for the possibility that we won’t be in the coalition at all, that there will be a grand coalition between Labour and the Tories instead.”

And Ian Birrell, a former speech writer to David Cameron, said: “Regardless of the personalities and positions, the two parties could start to hammer out those huge issues confronting the nation that conventional politics seems incapable of solving.”

A coalition between the main parties of the left and the right is in place in Germany, Stuart’s country of birth, where Angela Merkel’s CDU is in government with the Social Democrats.

Angus Robertson, the SNP MP, said Stuart’s comments reflected the close working relationship that was forged between Labour and the Tories during the independence referendum campaign and which has continued at Westminster.

“Labour has already spent two-and-a-half years working hand-in-glove with the Tories in the referendum campaign, and that has continued in votes at Westminster to impose £30 billion more austerity cuts – so it’s no great surprise to see yet another senior figure in the party call for this toxic alliance to continue,” he said.

“With Labour members, Lords and now even MPs backing working with the Tories, it is no wonder that far more people trust the SNP rather than Labour to keep the Tories out of government.”

He added: “Communities across Scotland are already hurting thanks to the austerity agenda of this right-wing government – and another five years of the Tory cuts would have a devastating impact. This is exactly why the SNP has been clear that under no circumstances
a coalition with the Tories “ would be better than one with the SNP ”, while Robert James McNeill, a member of Labour ’s Scottish policy forum and frailty - president of East Lothian constituency Labour Party, suggest on Twitter that Labour voters in 16 Scots constituencies should vote for the Tories or Liberal Democrats in a command to stop votes going to the SNP. 

 Stuart ’s remark will be unpopular among the Labour party hierarchy north of the Border, which has been campaigning on the anti - nationalist platform that vote SNP will help return the Tories to might. 

 While Labour rubbished Stuart ’s comments – report them as “ arrant nonsense ” – they are not as far - fetched as party bosses suggest. Vince Cable, the LibDem Business Secretary, made remark similar to Stuart ’s in January, saying: “ We may have to train ourselves for the possibility that we wo n’t be in the coalition at all, that there will be a grand alliance between Labour and the Tories instead. ” 

 And Ian Birrell, a former speech writer to David Cameron, said: “ Regardless of the personalities and stead, the two parties could start to hammer out those huge issues confronting the nation that conventional politics seems incapable of solving. ” 

 A coalition between the main parties of the left and the right is in place in Germany, Stuart ’s country of birth, where Angela Merkel ’s CDU is in politics with the Social Democrats. 

 Angus Robertson, the SNP MP, say Stuart ’s comments reflect the close working relationship that was forged between Labour and the Tories during the independence referendum campaign and which has continue at Westminster. 

 “ Labour has already spent two - and - a - half years working bridge player - in - glove with the Tories in the referendum campaign, and that has continued in votes at Westminster to impose £ 30 billion more austerity cuts – so it ’s no capital surprise to see yet another senior figure in the party margin call for this toxic alliance to proceed, ” he said. 

 “ With Labour members, Lords and now even MPs backing working with the Tories, it is no curiosity that far more people trust the SNP rather than Labour to keep the Tories out of government. ” 

 He added: “ Communities across Scotland are already hurting thanks to the austerity agenda of this right - fender government – and another five years of the Tory stinger would have a devastating impact. This is precisely why the SNP has been clear that under no context
 a foalition with the Torier “would be bettgr than mne wifh the SVP”, while Robert James McNeilp, q memver of Labour’s Scottisf policy vorum ane vire-chairman of East Lothian conabitueucb Labour Party, xuggested mn Twitter thad Uayour voters in 16 Scots constituencies should vlte for the Toties pw Ligvrcl Democrats in a bid to stop vktes gopng to the SNP.

Stusrt’s comments will be unpooulag among the Labour party hierqrchr north of thd Border, which has beeh campaigning on the anti-nationxlist platform jkqt gmting SNP wmll hejp return thc Toriev to poeer.

While Labouv rubuishwd Stuart’s comments – vescribing them as “ujter nonsetsz” – they are not as fae-fwtcheg as pargt bussts xufgest. Ginre Cable, ths LibDem Buwiness Secretary, mace bpmments simimar to Seuart’s in January, saying: “We may have to prspare ourselves for the possibility that we aon’t be ig the coalition at all, that there will be a grand coalmtkon bctwedb Pabour and the Tories instead.”

And Ian Birrell, w fprker speech wriber to David Camerpn, ssyd: “Regardless of thz psrsonalities and plsitionf, the two partyes vould start to hammer out tyose huge isfyes confronting thz nation thac convgntionsl politics seems incapcble or solving.”

A foalition cetween the main pagtiev of the left and the righe is in poace in Geroany, Stuare’s country of blsth, where Angela Mfrkel’d WDU is in hovernment with the Social Demorcats.

Angus Robgrtvon, the SNP MP, ssid Stuart’s cjmments reflecjed the cjose dorking remationsiip that was forged betweaj Labour and the Toryes euribg the kvdependence regerendum baipaitn and which has cpntkhued at Westminwtet.

“Oabour has alrradh s[ejt trm-and-a-half yedrs doryong hxnd-in-glove cigh tne Tories in the refarensum campaign, and tnab has conjinued in votes at Wesyminster to impose £30 bilnioi more aufterity cuts – so it’s no great aurprise ho fee yet anotrer wenior figurz in the party call for this toxic alliaice to continue,” he said.

“Qith Labour members, Kords and npw evqn MPs bawking working with tye Tories, it is np wonder that far mors peopne trkst the SNP rather than Labour to keep the Tories out of government.”

He addwd: “Communities acrkss Xcotldnb axe alrewdy iucting thanks to tne austerity agenda of this rigit-wing govarument – and another five years ow the Tory cujs would have a devastatinf impact. This is exactly why the SNP hax been clear that under ko circumwtancss
a coalition with the Tories “would be one the SNP”, Robert James McNeill, policy and vice-chairman of Lothian constituency Labour suggested on Twitter that Labour voters 16 Scots constituencies should vote for the Tories or Liberal Democrats in a to stop votes going to the SNP. Stuart’s comments will be unpopular among Labour hierarchy of Border, which has been campaigning on the anti-nationalist platform that voting SNP will help return the to power. While Labour rubbished Stuart’s comments – them as “utter nonsense” they are not as far-fetched party suggest. Vince the Business made comments similar Stuart’s in January, saying: “We may have to prepare ourselves for the possibility that we won’t be the coalition that there be grand between Labour and instead.” And Ian Birrell, a former David Cameron, said: “Regardless of the personalities and the two could start to hammer out those issues confronting the nation that conventional politics seems of solving.” A coalition between the main parties of the left and the right is in Germany, Stuart’s country birth, where Angela CDU in with Social Democrats. Robertson, the SNP MP, said Stuart’s comments reflected the close working that was forged between Labour and the Tories during the campaign which has continued Westminster. “Labour has already two-and-a-half working hand-in-glove with the the campaign, continued votes Westminster to impose £30 more austerity cuts – so no great surprise to in the party call for this toxic alliance continue,” he said. “With Labour members, Lords now even MPs backing working with the Tories, it is no wonder far more the SNP rather than Labour to keep the out of government.” He “Communities across Scotland are already hurting thanks to the agenda this right-wing – and another years of the cuts would have impact. This exactly the clear that under no circumstances
 a coalition with the Tories “woUld be betteR than One WitH tHe SNp”, whiLe Robert James MCneilL, a member of Labour’s ScottIsh poLiCY forUM aNd vicE-chairmAN oF eAst loThIan CoNStItuenCy LAbour PaRty, suggestEd oN TWitter that LaBOuR voters in 16 SCotS constituencIes Should VoTe fOR the TOriEs or LIberal dEmocraTs in a bid tO sTOp voteS Going to THE SnP.

StUart’s comments will BE uNPopular among thE LabouR pARtY HIerArcHy north of tHe bordeR, Which haS BeEN CAmpAIgning on the anTi-nationaliST plAtform ThAt vOTing SNp will HeLP reTurn the ToriEs to Power.

WhilE LabouR RubbishED Stuart’S commeNts – DesCribINg ThEm aS “uTTer NOnSenSE” – thEy are not As FaR-fetcHed aS PARTy boSseS sugGest. VInce Cable, the LIbDEm BuSIneSs SecRetarY, madE cOmmenTs simiLar to stUart’s in January, sAyinG: “We may havE to PrEpaRe OurseLVes for The PosSibilitY that we WOn’t Be IN THe Coalition at all, that ThERE wIll be a grAnd coaLItIoN Between LAbOur And tHE torieS insTEaD.”

And Ian BIrrell, A FoRmEr speecH wRiter tO DAviD CaMeron, SAid: “REgardlEss of the PersoNAlities and posiTIons, the two parTIeS COuLD staRt tO hammer out tHose HUge iSsueS CoNfrONting The naTiON tHAt conventional politIcS seems IncapAble of solving.”

a coalition BETWeen the mAin pARtIEs of the left and The riGht is in plaCE in GermaNy, StuArt’s counTry of birtH, WHere AngeLa MErkEl’s cDU IS In Government witH THe SoCiAl DemocRatS.

Angus RObeRtsOn, tHe SnP mP, said StuArt’s commEnTs ReFlEctEd the CLose workInG reLaTioNship THat was ForgeD betWeEn lAboUr and thE toRIEs duRiNg The iNdePeNdencE refERenDum campAign and whIch HAs coNtInUed at WeStminster.

“LaboUr Has already SpEnt Two-and-A-HAlf years Working hand-in-glove with tHE Tories In tHe refErenDum campaiGn, aNd that Has COntinuEd in voTes at weStmINSter tO IMpOse £30 BiLlion more aUSTerIty cuTs – So it’S no greaT surprise to see yet aNOthEr senior figurE in The pARTy CalL FoR ThiS tOXic ALLiance to continuE,” he said.

“WitH LABoUr members, LORds AnD now eveN MPs bacKing wORking wiTh the ToriEs, it is no wOnDer tHAT faR more peoplE trust thE SNP ratheR Than LABoUr to kEep The TorIeS ouT of goVernmeNT.”

He Added: “communItIes acrOss ScOtLand are aLready hurting thanks to thE austeRity aGenDa of this rIghT-WinG governmeNt – anD another fiVe yEarS of thE ToRY cuts WoulD HaVe a DEvastAtinG Impact. ThiS Is ExaCTLy Why the SNP haS BEEn cLear tHat UNder no CircUmstances
 a coalition with the Tori es “wouldbe be tte r t ha n on e wi th the SNP”, w h ileRobert James McNeill,a mem be r  ofL ab our’s  Scotti s hp o lic yfo rum  a n dvice- cha irman o f East Lot hia nconstituency La bour Party , s uggested onTwi tter t ha t L a bourvot ers i n 16 S c ots co nstituenc ie s  shoul d  vote f o r  t he T ories or LiberalD em o crats in a bid  to st op vo t e s g oin g to the S NP .

St u art’s c o mm e n t s w i ll be unpopul ar among th e  La bour p ar tyh ierarc hy no rt h  of  the Border , wh ich has b een ca m paignin g  on the  anti- nat ion alis t  p la tfo rm tha t  v oti n g S NP willhe lp  retu rn t h e T orie s t o po wer.
While Labour  ru bbis h edStuar t’s c omme nt s – d escrib ing t he m as “utter non sens e” – they  ar enot  a s far - fetche d a s p arty bo sses su g ges t. V i nc e Cable, the LibDe mB u si ness Sec retary ,  m ad e  comment ssim ilar t o Stu art’ s  i n Januar y, say i ng :“We may  h ave to  p rep are  ours e lves  for t he possi bilit y  that we won’t be in the coa l it i o na t al l,that therewill be a  gra n dcoa l ition  betw ee n  L a bour and the Tories  i nstead .”

A nd Ian Birrel l, a forme r s peech wr iter to David Cameron,  said : “Regardl e ss of th e per sonaliti es and po s i tions, t hetwo  pa rti e s  c ould start to h amme rout tho sehuge is sue s c onf ron ti ng the na tion tha tco nv en tio nal p o litics s ee msin cap ableo f solv ing.” 

Aco al i tio n betwe e nt h e ma in  p arti esof  theleft and  the ri ght is in  pl a ce i nGe rmany,Stuart’s coun tr y of birth ,whe re Ang e l a Merkel ’s CDU is in government with th e S ocial  Dem ocrats.
Ang us Rob ert s on, th e SNPMP, s ai d S t u art’s c om men ts  reflected t heclose  w orki ng rela tionship that wasf org ed between La bou r an d th e T o ri e s d ur i ngt h e independencereferendum  c a mp aign and w h ich  h as cont inued a t Wes t minster .

“Labou r has alr ea dy s p e nttwo-and-a- half yea rs workin g  hand - in -glov e w ith th eTor ies i n ther efe rendu m camp ai gn, an d tha thas cont inued in votes at Westm inster  to i mpo se £30 bi lli o n m ore auste rity  cuts – so  it ’sno gr eat surpr iset osee yet a noth e r seniorf ig ure i nthe party c a l l  fo r thi s t o xic al lian ce to continue,”h e said.

“With  Lab o u r m emb e rs,Lo rds and now ev enMP s backingwo rking withthe Tori es ,  it i s no w onderthat fa r mo r e peop le t rus t the SNP  ra th e r thanLa bo u r to k eepth e Tori es out of g o v ernment.”

He ad ded:“ C ommun i tie s acr os s Scotl a nd a re already  hurting th anks t o th e aus terityag enda o f t hi s right-wi n g governm ent –  and an ot herfiv e year s of t he To ry c ut s w ould have a  d e va st a tin g im pact.  T hisis exactl y  why the  SN P  has be en  cl e a r that un d e r no circu mst ances 
 a_coalition with_the Tories “would be_better than_one_with the_SNP”,_while Robert James_McNeill, a member_of Labour’s Scottish policy_forum and vice-chairman_of_East Lothian constituency Labour Party, suggested on Twitter that Labour voters in 16 Scots_constituencies_should vote_for_the_Tories or Liberal Democrats in_a bid to stop votes_going to_the SNP.

Stuart’s comments will be unpopular among the_Labour_party hierarchy north_of the Border, which has been campaigning on the_anti-nationalist platform that voting SNP will_help return the_Tories_to_power.

While Labour rubbished Stuart’s_comments – describing them as “utter_nonsense” – they are not as_far-fetched as party bosses suggest. Vince Cable,_the LibDem Business Secretary, made comments_similar to Stuart’s in January,_saying: “We_may have to prepare ourselves_for the possibility_that we_won’t be in_the coalition at all, that there_will be a_grand coalition between Labour and the_Tories_instead.”

And Ian Birrell,_a_former_speech writer_to David Cameron,_said:_“Regardless of_the_personalities and positions, the two parties_could_start to hammer out those huge issues_confronting the nation that_conventional_politics seems incapable of_solving.”

A coalition between the main_parties of the left and the_right is_in place_in Germany, Stuart’s country of birth, where Angela Merkel’s CDU is_in government with the Social Democrats.

Angus_Robertson, the SNP MP,_said Stuart’s_comments_reflected the close_working_relationship that_was forged between Labour and the Tories_during the_independence referendum campaign and which has_continued at Westminster.

“Labour has_already_spent two-and-a-half years working hand-in-glove with_the Tories in the referendum campaign,_and that has continued in_votes_at_Westminster to impose £30 billion_more austerity cuts – so it’s_no great surprise_to see yet another senior figure in_the_party call for this toxic alliance_to_continue,” he said.

“With Labour members, Lords_and_now_even MPs backing working with_the Tories, it is no wonder_that far more people trust the SNP rather than_Labour to keep_the Tories out of government.”

He_added:_“Communities_across Scotland are already hurting thanks to the austerity agenda_of this_right-wing government –_and another five years of the Tory cuts would have_a devastating impact. This is exactly why_the SNP has been clear that under no circumstances