ALEX Salmond has insisted the SNP's aim of winning 20 Westminster seats is still the right target, as his party gears up for its last big rally before the general election.
• First Minister Alex Salmond. Picture: PA
Despite recent polls suggesting the idea of 20 Nationalist MPs is wildly optimistic, the First Minister bullishly stood by his original prediction.
But at the same time, he acknowledged it was a big ask.
"I believe in big targets," he said. "Certainly, it would be a sea change in Scottish politics, but it is the right target to have.
"If you're not going in there pitching to win, then why bother to turn up for the campaign? I think we've got an election where a great deal can happen."
SNP activists gather in Aviemore today for a party conference that will be crucial for the SNP's election hopes.
When Mr Salmond made his 20-seat prediction in 2008, the party was still basking in the glow of its success at the last Scottish election. Back then, increasing the SNP's representation in the Commons by 13 or 14 MPs looked far more likely.
Since then, the economic crisis has intensified, the SNP has been forced to ditch key policies such as on local income tax and class sizes, while the party's draft referendum bill cannot secure parliamentary support.
A recent YouGov poll found the Nationalists were a full 17 points behind Labour when Scots were asked how they would vote at the general election.
Nevertheless, Mr Salmond believes the prospect of a hung parliament gives his party the opportunity to punch way above its weight at Westminster.
Unsurprisingly, he does not subscribe to the Labour and Tory view that a vote for the SNP is a vote wasted, on the basis that Mr Salmond can never become prime minister.
Speaking yesterday, the First Minister said SNP MPs would do their utmost to ensure Scotland's 2010-11 budget would not be cut in the event of a hung Westminster parliament.
Referring to the agreement that the SNP recently struck with Welsh nationalists, Mr Salmond said: "One of the key points in our platform with Plaid Cymru and the SNP is to ensure that there are no cuts in the Scottish block (grant] for next year."
Opposition to any proposed cuts will be a key election plank for both nationalist parties, with the SNP slogan "More Nats, less cuts" set to be repeated constantly by party activists.
Mr Salmond said the only cut he wanted to see this year was getting rid of the Trident nuclear submarine dock from the Clyde, a move, he said, that would save billions of pounds.
He also confirmed he would not enter a formal coalition with either the Tories or Labour.
"What we will do is have a key list of priorities that we will be publishing shortly," he said.
"They will be the matters that we want to advance on behalf of the people of Scotland and Wales. As each vital vote comes along, you say exactly what Scotland and Wales requires to ensure support for that vital vote."
