Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon John Linton PA Wire / PA Images John Linton PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

NICOLA STURGEON HAS described the prospect of a large Conservative win in the UK election as “horrifying”.

Writing in the Scotsman newspaper today, the Scottish National Party leader said: “A virtual one-party Tory state is a horrifying prospect – but given how weak Labour is, and the Lib Dems’ past record of propping up a Tory government, it is clear that only the SNP can offer strong and credible opposition in the House of Commons…

“Every Tory vote risks a strengthened Tory government and we should be in no doubt what that would mean. It would mean not just the hardest possible Brexit, but also further austerity and deeper cuts.”

The Scottish First Minister’s comments come amid talk of the SNP, Labour and the Liberal Democrats forming an informal alliance in a bid to stop the Tories securing a landslide victory.

UK Prime Minister and Conservative leader Theresa May described the potential alliance as a “coalition of chaos”.

Delivering a speech in Bolton North East yesterday, the Telegraph reports that May said voters had to choose between the Conservative Party’s “strong and stable” leadership and a coalition formed to “prop up” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Neil Henderson / Twitter Neil Henderson / Twitter / Twitter

May asked the electorate to “put their trust in me” and “give me the mandate to fight for Britain” ahead of Brexit negotiations.

Surprise announcement 

On Tuesday, May shocked many people by announcing that a snap general election would be held on 8 June.

She said she reached the decision “only recently and reluctantly” as it is necessary “to see us through Brexit and beyond”.

British Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech in Walmsley Parish Hall, Bolton ANDREW YATES PA Wire / PA Images ANDREW YATES PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

“The only way to guarantee stability and certainty for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take,” May said.

The Lib Dems, who were in power with the Conservatives until 2015, have ruled out a coalition with Labour.

Corbyn, meanwhile, has criticised May’s decision to not take part in TV debates in the run-up to the election.

“She cannot be allowed to run away from her duty to democracy and refuse to let the British people hear the arguments directly,” he said.

Read: The House of Commons has voted by 522 to 13 to hold a general election on 8 June

Read: Snap election to be held in UK on 8 June