THE SNP want a Labour government at Westminster, the Shadow Scottish Secretary has said.

Margaret Curran said Nicola Sturgeon wants a Labour Prime Minister and said the only way to achieve that was to vote for Labour MPs.

Ms Curran, Glasgow East Labour MP, said the General Election in May was the most important in her lifetime as the continuation of Tory control would be "catastrophic for Scotland".

The SNP however urged people in Scotland to reject Labour MPs and vote SNP to ensure Scotland's priorities are delivered on at Westminster.

Ms Curran met with some voters in a cafe in Rutherglen over tea and scones to warn if you don't vote Labour you will get another Tory government.

She said: "The SNP said they know a Labour Government is better. Nicola Sturgeon said she wouldn't support a Tory government to stay in power, so she wants a Labour Prime Minister.

"If your main political opponent says they want a Labour government then if you want it you have to vote for it."

Tom Greatrex, Rutherglen, Hamilton West Labour MP, said it was a dangerous game to start trying to work out how many SNP MSPs could we have and still have a Labour Prime Minister.

He said: "It's becoming clearer and clearer. People are starting to focus on the choice and they don't want David Cameron as Prime Minister and we need Labour MPs as part of that.

"If you try to make calculations on whether you can vote SNP and still get a Labour Government, only David Cameron benefits."

The Labour MPs said that the issues they were campaigning on reflected the priorities of working Scots.

Ms Curran said the mansion tax to fund nurses, the proposed increase in the minimum wage, energy price freeze and plan to tackle zero hours contracts would all make a difference to people's lives.

The SNP has said it wouldn't support a Conservative government and that it wants as many MPs as possible to hold the balance of power after the election.

Ms Curran refused to say if she would entertain a deal with the SNP if Labour was short of a majority, saying only she was "categorically fighting for a majority Labour Government"

The SNP's Westminster leader however, said Labour are little different to the Tories and their current level of support is evidence that is how the voters view it.

Angus Robertson said the referendum campaign with the Tories has continued.

He said: "Labour are paying a huge price for their toxic referendum alliance with the Tories - which to all intents and purposes has continued. In recent weeks, we have seen Labour MPs vote with the Tories for £30 billion more austerity cuts, vote with the Tories to spend £100 billion on a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons, and abstain on a key vote for a fracking moratorium. That is why we need the real clout for Scotland that only a strong team of SNP MPs can deliver - to be a real force for change."

Polls conducted last month and published last week showed Labour would lose six of its Glasgow seats, and several others in previously considered to be safe Labour.

The poll by Lord Ashcroft based on 1000 people in 16 constituencies was based on those who had made their mind up who they would vote for.

Another yesterday for TNS showed the SNP lead over Labour remained.

The SNP said while the polls were bad news for Labour it was taking nothing for granted and Labour said it was already seeing improvements on the ground.

Mr Robertson added: ""Scotland needs and wants an alternative to austerity cuts, cancellation of the horrendously expensive Trident renewal, the powers of real Home Rule, protection for our oil and gas industry, and a safeguard for our place in Europe by ensuring that all four UK nations would have to vote for EU withdrawal before the UK could exit.

"The Tories have been rejected in election after election in Scotland, and the SNP would never help them into power. By electing SNP MPs, the people of Scotland can vote to get rid of the Tories, protect the welfare of everyone who lives here, and promote progressive politics across the UK."