Member News
A strong SNP group in the Commons will "stand up for Scotland – not lie down for London," Angus Robertson has claimed.
The leader of the Scottish Nationalists at Westminster told the party's annual conference in Inverness on Sunday that only they will "protect Scotland from Labour and Tory plans" for cuts in public services.
The SNP has previously said it wants to take 20 seats at the next general election – they currently have seven MPs.
The party has even talked of holding the balance of power in a hung parliament.
The SNP candidates for the next Westminster election were revealed at conference on Sunday.
"A strong SNP group will be Scotland's voice with each MP having what it takes to stand up for Scotland – not lie down for London," Robertson said.
"A strong SNP group will protect Scotland from Labour and Tory plans for deep and dangerous cuts to Scotland's budget and make sure Scotland's voice is heard loud and clear in the halls of Westminster.
"A strong SNP group will be the voice of reason at Westminster arguing to scrap Trident and ID cards and not cut front-line services.
"And a strong SNP group will give Scotland the momentum to drive forward and win the independence referendum."
The Scottish government is to publish a white paper for a referendum in 2010.
Robertson said the minority SNP government and "popular" party leader and first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond will be a boost to their general election campaign.
"We are the largest party in local government," he said.
"We secured a clear nine point lead over Labour in the European elections only this summer.
"There are no no-go areas for the SNP – no obstacles we haven't already overcome."
The SNP has high hopes of winning the Glasgow North East by-election next month.
It was caused by the resignation of former Commons Speaker Michael Martin in June.
A safe Labour seat, the SNP want to repeat their by-election victory over Labour in the neighbouring Glasgow East seat last year.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd