SCOTTISH Green MSPs have opened up a wider range of coalition options after news broke from the SNP that senior figures on both sides had been in talks on close co-operation.

Green Party members have supported the news, reported yesterday in The Herald, that the SNP wants to talk about co-operation both before and after next year's election.

But a spokesman said they were equally willing to talk to other parties, even the Conservatives, about working together where they find common ground.

The Greens and the SNP are aiming at co-operation on shared policies, including asylum and torture flights, nuclear power and dumping, and backing for independence.

However, a Green spokesman stressed this was not his party "getting into bed" with the SNP. "Whichever party we talk to, there's nothing ruled in or out for the moment, " he said.

"We're looking at models that can bring different forms of politics to life, working together with things we agree on. We're willing to talk to all parties on issues of common interest.

"There's a fair amount in play with the SNP. Likewise with Labour and the LibDems and even with the Tories' commitment to local economies and local business, though that jars with their commitment to big business and corporate interests and putting economic drivers ahead of all other interests."

The talks, involving Alex Salmond, SNP leader, which took place just before Christmas, were ridiculed by the parties' opponents.

A Labour spokesman directed its criticism at the Nationalist leader: "Alex Salmond lives in a fantasy land. Every day the SNP makes reckless spending pledges with no suggestions on how things would be paid for. The SNP needs to take a more mature approach to opposition before they consider the grownup politics of government."

However, Labour has been careful not to rubbish the Greens, realising the executive party may also want to seek the support of the party's MSPs after next year's election. One senior figure privately told The Herald: "In the past 18 months, Greens have shown an ability to take the parliament seriously and inject ideas, making reasonable decisions that have put the other opposition parties to shame."

A LibDem spokesman said:

"The trajectory of the SNP is downwards. This seems to be a waste of time on everybody's part. It's also interesting to see a partnership being formed between a party that wants to Tarmac over the whole of Scotland with a party that wants to block any laying of new pavements."

Jim Mather, SNP economics spokesman, denied it would be impossible to square his party's backing for rapid growth with the Greens' opposition to growth. He believed growth was an effective way of ensuring the best ecological and community outcomes.

Alex Neil, SNP convener of the enterprise committee, said he welcomed the opening to the Greens.

"It's sensible, and it's also sensible to recognise the fact the Scottish Socialist Party is not going to be there in significant numbers after the next election - and who wants to be attached to the SSP anyway?"

The prospect for different complexions of coalition after the election in May next year has met with a firm rejection by Annabel Goldie, the Conservative leader, who prefers to focus on moving the Scottish Tories into second place ahead of the SNP and LibDems.

Struan Stevenson, a Tory MEP, last November called for the Conservatives to open talks on possible coalition with the SNP, saying his party was mistaken to campaign to be in opposition and that it had to be more serious about getting into power.

Bill Aitken, the Tory MSP for Glasgow, said of the GreenSNP talks: "They have a lot in common.

"Since they both passionately believe in socialism and independence and as long as they are wedded to those ideals, they will have a long and happy coalition in permanent opposition."