Corbyn Rules Out Coalition With SNP to Secure Labour Leadership

UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday dismissed the possibility of forming an alliance with the Scottish National Party (SNP) in a bid to win the Labour leadership contest as the campaign moves to Scotland.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier this month, UK Shadow Scottish Secretary Dave Anderson urged the party to consider entering a coalition with the SNP in order "to prevent another rabid right-wing Tory government."

"We will act to create a more equal society, boost the incomes of the poorest and close the gender pay gap. This is serious social change that will improve the lives and life chances of millions, in Scotland and throughout the UK. It’s Labour’s commitment to making that difference that means we’re not looking for an alliance with the SNP," Corbyn wrote in an article for The Daily Record.

He added that the Labour Party and the SNP have different goals and traditions.

"There are many people who have voted for, or even joined, the SNP who want to see many of the changes we want to implement. I don’t think these people are always being served properly by the SNP," Corbyn pointed out.

After the Brexit referendum in which the country voted to leave the European Union, Corbyn lost a motion of no confidence among parliamentary party members. He also saw half of the shadow cabinet resign in protest at what they claimed was his inability to lead the main opposition party after Brexit.

Corbyn refused to resign and said he would run in the party leadership election, with the other candidate being Owen Wilson.