Triumphant SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon yesterday warned David Cameron that “everything has changed” as she prepared for showdown talks with the prime minister.
The first minister travelled south to present her party’s dramatically enlarged group of 56 MPs to the awaiting media scrum outside the sun-drenched Houses of Parliament.
She said that Scottish voters endorsement last week had given the SNP a “big responsibility”, and that she “assumed” Mr Cameron would listen to its demands for extensive new powers.
Gordon MP Alex Salmond, who was among the throng that gathered outside Westminster, paid tribute to his successor as he acknowledged that “things are turning out not too badly” since his resignation.
He said: “When I was last here we had to run around to look like a crowd – now we are a crowd.
“Obviously we are seeing a major change and shift in Scottish politics. Behind the number of MPs we are seeing a seismic shift, clearly Scotland is on a journey, there’s no doubt about that whatsoever.”
He added: “I loved being first minister but everything has its time and I think things are turning out not too badly.”
Speaking to reporters, Ms Sturgeon said: “The SNP has worked long and hard in this election to make Scotland’s voice heard.
“To have people in Scotland in such overwhelming numbers put their trust in us is fantastic but also is a big responsibility.
“We are determined to make Scotland’s voice heard here in Westminster but we are also determined to be that voice for progressive politics that we promised to be during the election, to stand up to policies from a Conservative government that will damage Scotland and to make common cause with others of like mind from across the UK.”
The first minister said she had spoken to Mr Cameron about further devolution, but wanted further talks as soon as possible.
“David Cameron cannot simply operate as if nothing has changed in Scotland – everything has changed,” she said.
“I’ve had one conversation with David Cameron, I look forward hopefully in the not to distant future to have more detailed conversations and at this stage I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he will listen.
“We’ve agreed to talk face to face as soon as it can be arranged, I look forward to those discussions and to making progress on these issues.”