A LABOUR MSP has cautioned party members against being “seduced” by the SNP and independence, insisting: “You can’t pay your bills with a Saltire.”

Neil Findlay, who represents Lothian in the Scottish Parliament, criticised Nicola Sturgeon and her party’s record.

Mr Findlay told delegates at the Labour conference he had some friendly words of warning "because some people are being seduced into believing the Scottish National Party is a party of the Left, a party is progressive and a party that we should be doing deals with".

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He questioned the SNP’s approach to councils, transport, education and the economy, adding: “Why would we do a deal with a party that wants to divide us on the basis of nation instead of uniting us on the basis of our class?

“In Scotland, the attainment gap in schools is growing, our social care system is on the brink, our NHS is under pressure like never before. But last week, in The Herald newspaper, Nicola Sturgeon said independence transcends all of that."

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Mr Findlay claimed the First Minister was telling families struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and the thousands of council workers who have lost their jobs to not worry as “independence is the answer”.

He added: “Don’t judge the nationalists by their rhetoric, judge them on their failure to protect our essential services.”