John Swinney has appealed to disillusioned Labour voters ahead of May's Holyrood elections.

The SNP leader said Labour had "abandoned Scotland and our values" and should be punished at the polls.

"In seven short weeks this party is going to teach them a hard lesson. We will reclaim government for the people from the Labour machine," said Swinney this weekend.

"I know many Scots - many people watching at home - will have cast their votes for Labour four years ago out of optimism and loyalty.

"But let me ask a question of those Labour voters - those Labour voters loyal to the party of Keir Hardie and John Smith. Do you believe the Labour Party of Tony Blair and Jack McConnell has been loyal to you?"

Setting out his "vision for the government", Swinney told activists: "I want government to be driven by the need to make this country more prosperous and just.

"I want government to be returned to the people. To give the people the same independence and freedom that we seek for our country. I want in short, government - not to suit the politicians - but government to suit the people.

"It will be smaller government. There are too many ministers; too many ministerial cars; too many ministerial salaries and I will cut the number of ministers by a quarter. A bit harder work from Scottish Executive ministers is the least we can ask."

Vowing to "wrangle with London" Swinney said he would fight hard to secure a better deal for Scotland.

"Under Labour Westminster walks all over Scotland. But as your first minister I won't be selling out Scotland. I'll be fighting for Scotland," he said.

"So my government will be smaller, it will be focussed on public services and it will relentlessly fight for Scotland."

The appeal to Labour's heartlands came as a senior Scottish Labour figure hinted that he may defect to the SNP.

Tommy Sheppard, who was Jack McConnell's number two as deputy general secretary, expressed concern on Iraq and the party's failure to demand more powers from Westminster.

"It is sickening to behold the British prime minister play Robin to Bush's Batman gallivanting throughout the world from one imperial crusade to the next," he said.