Tom Griffin (London, The Green Ribbon): Is Alex Salmond banking on a hung Parliament after the next general election? That's the 'cunning plan' that Brian Taylor believes he's uncovered in his interview with the Scottish First Minister at the SNP spring conference yesterday.
Salmond told Taylor of his belief that there is great scope for maximising SNP influence at Westminster:
Currently we're in a position where we're having a discussion with the Treasury, and even if the arguments are overwhelmingly in your favour, from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the argument is no.
Now I just think that the political balance may be about to change in these islands. If for example the SNP won 20 seats, lets just say, in the forthcoming UK election, then I suspect our case would be listened to with a great deal more interest than it is perhaps at the present moment. We could make Westminster dance to a Scottish tune.
If Fraser Nelson is right, at least one major party might be prepared to do business:
Mr Cameron sees the realpolitik of what lies ahead. It is the Scottish and Welsh electorates that have decided more or less to expel the Tory party from their borders. He would have happily hived off the Scottish Tories last year, as I disclosed at the time, had they not protested. If there is a dog whistle blown in the next election campaign, it will concern Mr Cameron’s credentials as an Englishman.
The SNP aren't alone in their hopes for a hung Parliament. As blogger Fair Deal noted in an OK piece this week, the DUP are thinking along similar lines.
Irish parties, unionist and nationalist, have often aspired to hold the balance of power at Westminster. The prospect has usually turned out to be a mirage.
The numbers may fall out more favourably for the SNP next time, but that depends on factors that are largely beyond their control. By maximising their own representation, they can, at most, improve the odds.
