Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants a “progressive alliance” between the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party in England if there is a hung Parliament after May’s general election.

Ms Sturgeon (pictured) told a rally of around 12,000 supporters in Glasgow on Saturday that the deal “with progressive forces across these islands” could “bring an end to the failed austerity economics” of Westminster.

“My aim is that the SNP wins the general election in Scotland and there is every prospect of a hung Parliament at Westminster,” she said.

“The SNP would never act to put the Tories in power. In these circumstances, our constructive approach is that the SNP will seek common cause in a balanced Parliament with progressive forces across the regions of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

In return, she said, the SNP would seek “wider support for some of Scotland’s priorities — such as achieving the powers we were promised by the No campaign and preventing a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons being dumped on the Clyde.”

The new First Minister outlined a programme of “social democracy in action, progressive, vibrant and with purpose.”

“Land reform will mean much-needed change in the Highlands and other rural areas,” she said.

“For all there will be radical social protection, a huge increase in free childcare, helping parents return to work and giving their kids the best start in life, new funds for our NHS, mitigation of the hated bedroom tax and a pledge that wherever and whenever we can, this party — this government — will work to protect the poor, the disabled and the vulnerable.”