SNP BEGINS COALITION TALKS

The SNP sent political shockwaves around the country on Friday as it ended half a century of Labour dominance north of the border to win the election.

The result left the Nationalists as the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, edging ahead of Labour by one seat.

Mr Salmond attended the first meeting of the SNP's new parliamentary group of 47 MSPs on Saturday in Edinburgh.

Speaking in a photocall outside Holyrood later, he told Sky News: "We are still to have discussions over the next few days and we'll approach them constructively.

"We've had conversations informally, but there's been no formal negotiations as yet.

"During the election we expressed a preference for a coalition and that's certainly my preference.

"Who'll be First Minister is a matter for the Scottish Parliament and there will be a vote on that in the next 26 days.

"The people have spoken and the view of the country is quite clear. All politicians have to remember the conversation we've just had with the electorate."

The Lib Dems and the Greens must now consider whether or not to enter coalition talks with the SNP.