The SNP claims they will "hold the balance of power" at the next General Election after an expert projected Labour would have a nine-point lead over the Tories in the English council results. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said "it's increasingly clear the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next election" as experts said it remains uncertain over whether Labour will win a majority.
The Conservatives had lost more than 450 seats after half of the councils had declared their results. Labour had gained more than 250, while the Lib Dems had gained over 100 and the Greens had gained just under 100. UK Labour leader Keir Starmer had told supporters on Friday morning they are progressing towards a Westminster majority as the results saw his party win key areas from the Tories.
But experts had suggested that Labour would be the biggest party but may struggle for a majority. Sky News elections analyst Michael Thrasher said on Friday afternoon: "Critically, in terms of looking at the outcome on a general election, you would say that Labour are set to become the largest party but in a hung parliament".
Earlier in the day polling expert John Curtice also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the next UK election may result in a hung parliament. He said: "Whether Labour can get an overall majority on their own, or whether they will simply do well enough to form a minority administration in a hung parliament was uncertain before yesterday and remains uncertain this morning".
Flynn said: "It's increasingly clear that the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next general election - putting Scotland in prime position to pull the strings of a minority UK government. Voting SNP is the best way to beat the Tories in Scotland - and every vote for the SNP will be crucial to ensure Scotland wields real power and influence.
"With the pro-Brexit Labour Party lurching to the right, and becoming indistinguishable from the Tories, the SNP will make certain that real change happens. The SNP would ensure the power to determine Scotland’s future is transferred to Edinburgh, that the cost of living crisis becomes the main priority of Westminster and that relations with Europe are rebuilt and renewed.”
Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “The results in the local government elections England, alongside Labour recovering in Scotland, show that we are on course for a majority Labour government. Labour has spent the local elections campaign focused on the cost of living, while the Tories have tried and failed to hide from their abysmal record.
“With the SNP mired in scandal and under police investigation, it is game on for Labour in Scotland and we stand ready to offer change to Scotland with a Labour government across the UK"
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