SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon offers to help Labour’s Ed Miliband to become prime minister
Sturgeon offers to help Labour's Miliband be prime minister and doesn't rule out fresh ballot
The Scottish National Party leader has offered to help British Labour party leader Ed Miliband become prime minister, while raising the possibility of seeking another independence referendum after 2016.
In a lively debate between the leaders of the four main Scottish parties, the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon on Tuesday outlined her aim to help the centre-left Labour party into power to prevent Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron winning a second term at next month's election.
"Even if the Tories are the biggest party we will work with Labour to keep David Cameron out of Downing Street."
Labour and the Conservatives are deadlocked in polls ahead of the May 7 vote, eroded by the advance of smaller parties and with neither of Britain's long-dominant forces likely to win an outright majority.
Sturgeon's SNP may have a kingmaker role, as the party has surged in support since a referendum on Scottish independence in September and is predicted to win between 35 and 50 seats of Scotland's total of 59, compared to six in the last election.