SNP AND PLAID CALL ON PROGRESSIVE PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER

SNP AND PLAID CALL ON PROGRESSIVE PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER

FORMATION OF UK GOVERNMENT MUST SERVE THE INTERESTS OF SCOTLAND

The SNP and Plaid Cymru have confirmed that they willing to explore the
potential of working with other parties to ensure the new UK Government
serves the best interest of both Scotland and Wales.

Plaid’s Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones and the SNP Leader and Scotland's First
Minister Alex Salmond have accepted the offer made by Prime Minister
Gordon Brown of ‘civil service support’ which would be crucial in the
event of discussions being held to examine options for a new government.

Both leaders have agreed that they will now seek to explore an outcome
which will reflect the political choices made by the progressive majority
of both the people of Wales and Scotland in the General Election.

This decision has been made by the SNP and Plaid in light of yesterday’s
statement by Gordon Brown that he would be willing to speak with any of
the party’s leaders. Plaid and the SNP believe that following the outcome
of this election their parties have a responsibility to work towards the
aim of creating political and economic stability and to secure a positive
outcome for their nations.

Both parties have appointed teams who will spend the next few days
discussing the mechanics of any future discussions with their dedicated UK
liaison officials in London.

The SNP's team will be led by Westminster Leader Angus Robertson
MP and Depute Westminster Leader Stewart Hosie.

Commenting, SNP Leader and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said:

"A balanced parliament is redolent with opportunity for Scotland. At the
start of the General Election campaign, the SNP and Plaid Cymru pledged to
fight for the best deal for Scotland and for Wales.

"We now find ourselves in a position to make real gains. Working together,
we will use our votes and experience of negotiating in a balanced
parliament to maximum effect to take Scotland and Wales forward.

"The assumption by some that the only option now available for a new UK
Government is a Tory Liberal pact is not correct. There are alternatives
and far more progressive outcomes available should politicians have the
will to seize the moment. Plaid and the SNP are indicating that we do."

Plaid’s leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said:

“Plaid has a track record in putting aside our own party political
interests in order to work with other parties to deliver the best outcome
for the people of our nation. That is what we did in Wales in 2007 when
we formed a coalition with Labour which is widely acknowledged to have
been a tremendous success.

"We will now do what is expected of us by the electorate and explore the
potential of working with other parties in Westminster in order to achieve
the best deal for Wales. A more balanced Parliament is a real opportunity
to bring about a new approach to politics in the UK which would be
welcomed throughout the nations of these islands.”