article: Scottish Nationalists threatened to paralyse the UK government by blocking ‘any bit of spending’ they do not agree with. The threat came as Angela Eagle, Labour’s shadow leader of the Commons, revealed it was prepared to speak to any other party in a hung Parliament – including the SNP – to ‘try to build a majority’. But the SNP, forecast to hold the balance of power with 50 or more MPs, suggested it would hold Ed Miliband to ransom if he refuses to scrap the Trident nuclear defence programme. The Scottish Nationalists, led by Nicola Sturgeon, have threatened to paralyse the UK government by blocking ‘any bit of spending’ they do not agree with . The SNP’s deputy leader Stewart Hosie told the BBC’s Daily Politics that in the absence of a formal deal with Labour, the SNP would be ‘entitled to vote against any bit of legislation’ and ‘any bit of spending’ it does not agree with. He said that the SNP could vote against so-called ‘Parliamentary estimates’, which authorise Government departments’ spending commitments. ‘If we didn’t agree with a bit of spending then of course we could vote against that. I certainly wouldn’t be happy if Trident was renewed,’ he said. Senior Conservatives warned that the SNP’s threat to veto public spending across entire departments unless it gets its way could even lead to a US-style government shutdown. The threat came as Angela Eagle, Labour’s shadow leader of the Commons, revealed it was prepared to speak to any other party in a hung Parliament – including the SNP – to ‘try to build a majority’ As Scotland moved to the centre of the election campaign: . ■ Mr Cameron pledged a controversial annual review of the fairness of Scottish government policies on the rest of the UK. ■ Nick Clegg questioned the ‘legitimacy’ of a government led by a party that finishes second. ■ Tory HQ prepared to deploy Boris Johnson and Sir John Major to energise its campaign. ■ George Osborne unveiled plans for a £10billion shares bonanza by selling off discounted shares in Lloyds Bank. ■ Ed Balls prompted fears of tax increases on businesses and middle earners if Labour regains power. ■ Labour prepared to step up warnings about Tory ‘privatisation’ of the NHS. David Cameron warned the idea of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holding sway over a ‘weak’ Labour leader in a hung Parliament was a ‘frightening prospect’. The Prime Minister insisted the SNP ‘wouldn’t care’ about slashing services for voters in England and Wales – and insisted the only way to stop the party was to return a Conservative government. He issued a plea to Ukip and Lib Dem voters to lend their support to the Tories to prevent ‘Ed Miliband, propped up by Nicola Sturgeon, demanding ever more borrowing and more taxes’. David Cameron warned the idea of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon holding sway over a ‘weak’ Labour leader in a hung Parliament was a ‘frightening prospect’ ‘A group of nationalists from one part of our country would be involved in altering the direction of the government of our country and I think that is a frightening prospect,’ Mr Cameron said. ‘For people thinking in their own constituencies “is that bypass going to be built, will my hospital get the money it needs?” – frankly, this is a group of people that wouldn’t care about what happened in the rest of the country.’ Miss Sturgeon said yesterday she expected the SNP to be in a ‘very powerful’ position after May 7. She insisted SNP MPs would be prepared to vote on English matters, such as the NHS and education – breaking the party’s previous commitment not to vote on issues which are controlled by the Scottish Parliament. Miss Sturgeon insisted she would never support the Conservatives in government, but indicated that she is ready to put Mr Miliband in Number Ten even if Labour wins fewer seats at the election. Labour has ruled out a formal deal with the SNP, but repeatedly refused to rule out a looser arrangement. Outlining an ‘alternative vision’ for Britain that could be implemented in co-operation with Labour, Miss Sturgeon will today unveil a manifesto to ‘end austerity’ with a £180billion debt-fuelled spending spree. On the prospect of negotiating with the SNP, Angela Eagle, Labour’s shadow leader of the Commons, told the BBC’s Sunday Politics: ‘We’ll speak to any party that has got representation in the House of Commons in order to try and build a majority for a Queen’s Speech that the country desperately needs for a change of government.’ A senior Labour source sought to downplay Miss Eagle’s remarks, saying there would be a ‘clear majority’ for Trident renewal in any circumstances because of the support of almost all Conservative MPs. Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps said: ‘The SNP are threatening to hold Britain to ransom to guarantee an Ed Miliband government gives them what they want – weaker defences, more borrowing, more debt and more taxes.’
highlights: SNP will vote against 'any bit of spending' it disagrees with after election .
  Nationalist MPs could paralyse the UK government by blocking legislation .
  Threat came as Labour's Angela Eagle said they would speak to any party .
  SNP suggests it would hold Ed Miliband to ransom over Trident if he is PM .
prediction: Nationalists 
   UK government 
   bit 
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   threat came as Angela Eagle 
   Labour ’ s shadow leader 
   Commons 
   revealed 
   was prepared 
   speak 
   any other party in a hung Parliament 
   ‘ try 
   build 
   majority 
   But the SNP, forecast to hold the balance of power with 50 or more MPs, suggested it would hold Ed Miliband to ransom if he refuses to scrap the Trident nuclear defence programme 
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   be 
   ‘ any bit of spending ’ it 
   could vote against 
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