David Cameron has suggested that he should go head-to-head in an election TV debate with Alex Salmond instead of Ed Miliband.
He made the remark during bitter exchanges at prime minister’s questions at Westminster yesterday, which were dominated by the SNP surge and the debates row.
Labour leader Ed Miliband challenged Mr Cameron to a two-way battle in front of the cameras, claiming the Conservative leader was “chickening” out of it.
But the Conservative leader seized on polls predicting near wipe-out for Labour north of the border at May’s election.
Mr Cameron said: “The right honourable gentleman said ‘anytime, anyplace, anywhere’. I have told him March 23—let’s hold that debate.
“But I will tell him what has changed: it is now obvious that Labour cannot win without the Scottish National Party.
“He says we need the two leaders, but we need the two leaders who can call the tune—that is me and Alex Salmond. Let us have the debate.”
The prime minister also claimed the Labour leader was “weak and despicable and wants to crawl to power in Alex Salmond’s pocket”.
Mr Miliband said: “The public will see through his feeble excuses. Instead of these ridiculous tactics, why does he not show a bit more backbone and turn up for the head-to-head debate with me—any time, anywhere, any place?”
The clash provided fresh evidence that the Tories intend to focus the party’s election strategy on the prospect of the SNP gaining power at Westminster, and to pile pressure on Labour to rule out a deal with the Nationalists.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Salmond said: “Cameron ran scared during the referendum campaign and now he’s running scared again. He should have been called to account last year and should be called to account this year.
“Like most posh boys, given half a chance, he’ll run away from a fight. Nicola Sturgeon would eat him for breakfast in a debate.”
Mr Cameron also highlighted SNP demands for the removal of nuclear weapons from Scotland, saying: “For me, Trident and its replacement are non-negotiable. They are an absolutely vital part of this nation’s security.”
Labour’s former strategist Lord Mandelson, meanwhile, indicated yesterday that he does not expect the party to win an outright majority.
He said: “People basically are unhappy with what is on offer.
“They are therefore shopping around in politics in a way that the large parties are ill-equipped to deal with and which will almost certainly deliver us a stalemate hung parliament in two months’ time.”