Scottish Labour MEP calls for Holyrood coalition with SNP
David Martin said while the prospect may seem “unthinkable” to many, signs of increasing co-operation between the two parties had been growing.
Mr Martin pointed to the united front of the Labour Welsh Government and the SNP administration on Brexit as an example.
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Hide AdHe suggested moves to recognise common ground were necessary now in case the 2021 Holyrood elections fail to give either party a majority.
Speaking to The Herald newspaper, he said: “We are far away from the next Holyrood elections, but I think the groundwork should be being laid now for a potential SNP-Labour coalition that to many will seem unthinkable.
“There are signals, very weak signals, the real hate - and it was hate - between Labour and the SNP is beginning to weaken.
“I would not quite say there is a rapprochement but there is more possibility of cooperation and working together than there has been in a long time.
“Being on the same side in the Brexit referendum has helped that.”
SNP MEP Alyn Smith said the call was a “welcome intervention”.
“I don’t think an SNP-Labour coalition is unthinkable,” he told the paper. “Such a coalition currently runs Scotland’s capital.”
Former Labour MSP and minister Malcolm Chisholm also signalled his support for the idea, posting “I like this” on Twitter.