"SCOTTISH Tories are considering an alliance with Labour after the next Holyrood election as a way of providing “principled opposition” and keeping the SNP out of power.
Annabel Goldie’s party is discussing the possibility of a “stability pact” with Labour if Jack McConnell ditches the Liberal Democrats and forms a minority administration.
The unprecedented deal could see the Conservatives voting to install McConnell as First Minister and supporting the Executive in votes of no confidence.
Co-operation would be offered in return for assurances on policy issues that unite both parties.
The idea is being floated by the Tories as they try to position themselves ahead of next year’s Holyrood poll.
Goldie has criticised the concept of coalition government and wants the parliament’s largest group, which is likely to be either Labour or the SNP, to govern Scotland without the help of another party next year."
Fair enough. But it seems doubtful that the arithmetic will hold up. Labour at present has 50 seats while the Tories have 18 out of the total of 129. If, as we keep being told, Labour's private polling indicates a loss of up to 12 seats, mainly to the SNP, then a Tory-Labour pact is unlikely to command a parliamentary majority.
Or perhaps Ms Goldie is simply seeking to embarrass Labour?
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