Salmond threatens to block a Tory minority government
Former SNP leader says the party would come out against the Conservatives in a vote of confidence
Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader and a prospective MP, has warned that his party will try to block a minority Conservative government if it holds the post-election balance of power.
Salmond, who stood down as party leader after narrowly losing the bid for Scottish independence last year, is hoping to become a Westminster MP in May and believes the SNP could "hold the power" in a hung parliament.
He told the New Statesman that the Tories would have to go for a vote of confidence, usually the Queen's Speech, but said "it could be otherwise, of course, and we'd be voting against". He added: "So if Labour joins us in that pledge, then that's Cameron locked out."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There would then be a two-week period to form another government, he said.
The Conservatives accused Salmond of "trying to sabotage the democratic will of the British people", while Labour, which has ruled out a formal coalition with the Scottish nationalists, called his balance of power prediction "bluster and bluff".
Nevertheless, opinion polls suggest the number of SNP seats at Westminster could increase dramatically at the general election.
According to Parliament.uk, the first parliamentary test of a minority or coalition government is the parliamentary vote on an amendment to the Queen's Speech, the government's legislative programme for the session, which is read out by the Queen shortly after the election.
"If the Queen's Speech is amended, the Prime Minister must resign," it says.
However, the New Statesman says that as a result of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, introduced under Cameron's leadership, a specific motion would also have to be passed stating that the "House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government".
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon will lead any post-election negotiations for the party, but the BBC says Salmond "seems certain to have a role" if he becomes an MP.
Ramsay MacDonald formed the first Labour government in 1924 after the Conservative Party, led by Stanley Baldwin, lost its majority at the general election and then lost a vote on the King's speech.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is Labour risking the 'special relationship'?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer forced to deny Donald Trump's formal complaint that Labour staffers are 'interfering' to help Harris campaign
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Alex Salmond: charismatic politician who nearly broke up the Union
In the Spotlight Remembering the former First Minister who 'normalised' the cause of Scottish independence
By The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Men in Gray suits: why the plots against Starmer's top adviser?
Today's Big Question Increasingly damaging leaks about Sue Gray reflect 'bitter acrimony' over her role and power struggle in new government
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Who will replace Rishi Sunak as the next Tory leader?
In Depth Shortlist will be whittled down to two later today
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published