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SCOTS want Labour to govern in coalition with the SNP at Westminster, a poll for the Daily Record has revealed.

Thirty-five per cent of voters back a post-general election deal between the two old enemies which would be certain to cause alarm in England.

And an SNP deal with Ed Miliband could put Alex Salmond into government. The former first minister is hot favourite to become MP for Gordon in Aberdeenshire.

Our survey found that a Labour-SNP alliance was the most popular of all the scenarios put forward for the make-up of the next UK government.

A Labour majority was second choice on 20 per cent, followed by a Tory majority on 14 per cent.

Survation’s poll of 1006 adults was carried out last week.

It revealed a slight narrowing in the SNP’s massive poll lead over Labour.

Forty-six per cent of Scots now plan to vote SNP on May 7, down two points from our last Survation poll in December.

Support for Labour rose by two points to 26 per cent.

The Tories fell two points to 14 per cent and the Lib Dems rose by two points but were still at a dismal seven per cent.

If our results were repeated in the actual vote, the SNP would win 52 seats and Labour just six.

The Lib Dems would lose all but one of their 11 Scots MPs and the Tory total would go from one to zero.

SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie said the results were encouraging, but added: “We are taking absolutely nothing for granted and will work hard for every vote in May.

“With Labour MPs voting with the Tories for £30billion more austerity cuts, people across Scotland can put their trust in the SNP to stand up for their interests, and use our clout in a

hung Westminster parliament to end austerity.

“It’s clear there is widespread support for the greatest possible devolution of powers to Holyrood.

“But the Westminster Government simply isn’t willing to give Scotland the powers we need to build a more equal society and more competitive economy.

“That’s why we need a strong team of SNP MPs to hold them to account and ensure that they finally deliver on their Vow to Scotland.”

A Labour spokesman said: “In the end, the general election is about choosing a government, and only two parties can do that. Scots who want to see the back of David Cameron should vote for Scottish Labour to make sure Labour is the biggest party.”

Our poll also looked ahead to the 2016 Holyrood elections and put the SNP on an astonishing 50 per cent support for the constituency vote compared to Labour’s 26 per cent.

In the regional vote, the SNP were on 39 per cent and Labour 23.

The Tories were on 14 per cent, the Greens were on 10 per cent, the Lib Dems on seven and UKIP on six.

With those results, the SNP would hold on to their overall majority and the Greens would have nine MSPs. It’s also possible that the first UKIP member would be elected to Holyrood.

Our poll comes the day after other surveys suggested Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has had a slight impact on party fortunes.

Murphy will lead his top team to Dundee today in an attempt to win back supporters who voted for independence in droves last September.

He will unveil a five-point plan to bring oil jobs to the city, improve education, expand sporting facilities, capitalise on culture and exploit the potential of the gaming industry.

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Before the visit, Murphy said: “I want to devolve job-creating powers to Dundee as well. This isn’t about what political party is in charge, but about where power best lies.

“This is what I want for all Scotland. I want a Scotland ready to fight poverty and inequality, but also using the unique opportunities of our great cities and communities to build a better nation.”

The poll revealed some intriguing views on the make-up of the next UK government.

A Labour-SNP pact is second preference among Labour voters, with 17 per cent backing such a deal.

One in five SNP voters appear ready to accept a Tory-SNP coalition, which Nicola Sturgeon has categorically ruled out.

Only six per cent of Scots backed a Tory-UKIP coalition but it was still more popular than a second Con-Dem government. That idea got five per cent support.

NHS

A THIRD of Scots believe quality of care on the NHS has become worse since the SNP came to power at Holyrood.

The same proportion also believe waiting times have deteriorated over their two terms of government since 2007.

The findings were in a poll of more than 1000 adults by Survation for the Daily Record. Voters were asked whether care and waiting times are better, worse or largely unchanged.

Only 22 per cent thought the health service has improved in both those areas.

The SNP pointed to a survey last year which suggested most Scots rated their NHS experience as excellent. A spokesman for Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Since 2007 waiting times are better, targets are tougher and our NHS is performing better against those targets.”

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “The crisis in A&E is clear to everyone in Scotland except the SNP health minister.”

FRACKING

COUNCILS facing fracking applications should be given extra cash support, according to the Scottish Green Party.

MSP Alison Johnstone wants the Scottish Government to agree a special fund as part of budget discussions this week.

Huge swathes of central Scotland have already been identified for fracking.

The call comes as our poll today shows Scots oppose the unconventional drilling practice, which sees liquid injected into rock at high pressure in order to extract oil or gas.

The Survation poll suggests 45 per cent oppose and 24 per cent support fracking, while the rest have not made up their mind.

Johnstone said: “Ministers have in the past provided local authorities with funding to deal with high levels of windfarm determinations.

“Why not support councils facing fracking applications?”

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