NICOLA Sturgeon will today put fresh pressure on Ed Miliband to agree a post-election deal with the SNP by sending a message of "friendship and solidarity" to Labour supporters south of the Border.
In a keynote conference speech, the SNP leader will promise to address the "needs and demands of ordinary people" across the UK.
The SNP will demand an end to "slash and burn" austerity, she will say, and work as "allies" with people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Her comments are intended to reassure left-of-centre voters in the rest of the UK about the SNP's demands and make it harder for Mr Miliband to turn his back on the Nationalists if Labour emerges in a position to form a government with their support.
Today marks the anniversary of the motion of no confidence in 1979 - initially tabled by the SNP - which brought down the Labour government of James Callaghan.
The vote has dogged the SNP for years and strategists are determined the party is not held responsible a second time for ushering in a Conservative government if an alternative is possible after May 7.
Ms Sturgeon will say: "To ordinary people across these islands who feel just as let down by the out of touch Westminster system as we do, I have a very clear message.
"It is a message of friendship and solidarity.
"To people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, I make this promise.
"We will pursue policies that will win support from, and make life better for, people in every part of these islands.
"We will demand an alternative to slash and burn austerity.
"Responsible deficit reduction, yes - but cuts that tear at the very fabric of our society, penalise the poor, threaten our public services and stifle economic growth, let me make it crystal clear - those will not be in our name."
Both Mr Miliband and Ms Sturgeon have dismissed the idea of a formal coalition.
However, the SNP leader has talked up the possibility of a looser deal or supporting a minority Labour government on a vote by vote basis, seeking to influence decisions on spending, devolution and the proposed replacement for Trident.
The pitch has been seized on the by Conservatives, who have waged a damaging campaign south of the border warning the SNP would "call the tune" in a weak minority Labour government.
Labour yesterday released a campaign video showing TV news reports of SNP victories across Scotland followed by David Cameron driving into Downing Street.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said: "The agenda of the Scottish National Party is very obvious - they want to drive down the vote of Labour in Scotland and they want to drive up the Tory vote.
"Why? Because Nicola Sturgeon remains committed to independence.
"She judges the most propitious circumstances to be of a Tory government in Westminster after the election in May, and after that to try to secure support in the 2016 election in Scotland for a second referendum."
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "The trouble with these empty words is they are being nakedly contradicted by the man who thinks he's still SNP leader.
"While Nicola Sturgeon extends her hand in friendship, Alex Salmond uses his in a ludicrous attempt to slap the rest of the UK around."
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