SNP will be the 'real opposition' to the Conservatives at Westminster

The SNP will be the "real and effective" opposition to the Conservatives, the party's Westminster leader has said.

Angus Robertson said that with Labour searching for a new leader since Ed Miliband's resignation, the SNP will be offering a strong voice for people across the UK and not just for Scotland.

The SNP are now the third biggest party in the House of Commons with 56 MPs taking their seats when Parliament resumes this week.

Mr Robertson said: "For the sake of people in Scotland and across the UK, it is vital that there is a strong and effective opposition to the Tory Government at Westminster - and that is a responsibility the SNP are ready and willing to discharge.

"We will work in partnership with the Scottish Government and Members of the Scottish Parliament, and are prepared to reach out across party lines at Westminster.

"Indeed, I believe that the SNP will form the real opposition to the Tories. Labour are leaderless at Westminster and mired in a leadership crisis in Scotland, but the issue is deeper than that."

Mr Robertson claimed Labour are not offering an alternative to the Conservatives on austerity, welfare and Europe.

"We will work closely with Ministers and MSPs in Holyrood on all of these and other issues - such as achieving the powers Scotland was promised in the referendum, and preventing the repeal of the Human Rights Act.

"Effective SNP opposition to the Tories will certainly be good for Scotland - but leading this progressive alternative will also be to the benefit of people throughout the UK."