Nicola Sturgeon is calling for Scottish voters to make their voice known at tomorrow’s election in the UK.
The First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of the Scottish National Party told SBS that in the wake of last year’s failed referendum for independence, the general election was another chance for unity.
She said the vote, held on May 7, was an opportunity for Scotland to “come together to make our voice heard”.
“We’ve got the opportunity on Thursday to be heard more loudly in Westminster than ever before and then to use our voice to argue for better and more progressive politics,” she said.
“My message to people across Scotland is one of unity. Regardless of how people voted in the referendum last year, let’s come together and make our voice heard like never before.”
Support for the Scottish national party has more than doubled since the last election, with one opinion poll even suggesting victory in all 59 Scottish seats.
However, Ms Sturgeon – who joined the party at age 16 - stressed that unity would not necessarily mean another referendum.
“Even if the SNP was to win every seat in Scotland, that is not a mandate for another referendum and it’s not a mandate for independence,” she said.
The SNP said it wants to use its new influence to build a bridge to a minority government that will remove David Cameron from office, but Labour leader Ed Miliband has ruled out any form of coalition.
“I’m not going to have a labour government based on a deal or a coalition with the Scottish National Party,” he said.