Theresa May tells Scotland to keep the faith and stick with Brexit Britain as she fires blast at SNP
Prime Minister brands UK as 'world's greatest family of nations' and urges voters to ignore SNP game playing
THERESA MAY urged Scots to stick with Brexit Britain yesterday as she fired a bitter independence blast at the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking in Glasgow, the Prime Minister branded the UK the “world’s greatest family of nations”.
And she told Scottish voters to ignore the “noisy antics” and political game playing of the SNP and choose the security and economic potential of staying in the UK.
She said: “We are four nations, but at heart we are one people.
“We cannot allow our United Kingdom to drift apart.”
The PM added that Scotch Whisky could be turned into a world beater after Brexit as free trade deals slash tariffs - such as India’s 150 per cent mark-up on the spirit.
The speech incensed the SNP who immediately made fresh threats of a second Independence Referendum.
Angus Robertson, the SNP’s deputy leader accused Theresa May of “mind boggling hypocrisy” given that she voted Remain and was now threatening to drag Scotland over the Brexit “cliff edge”.
Theresa May also infuriated the Scot Nats by panning their record on schools and the health service in Scotland.
And she signalled that control over areas such as fishing and agriculture might have to sit with Westminster rather than Holyrood after Brexit.
As we bring powers and control back to the United Kingdom, we must ensure that right powers sit at the right level to ensure our United Kingdom can operate effectively.
Theresa May - Prime Minister
Currently the EU sets EU-wide standards in fishing and the environment which Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast have the power to implement under devolution settlements.
But the PM said: “The UK devolution settlements were designed in 1998 without any thought of a potential Brexit.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond accused the Government of a “power grab”.
The PM’s attack marked a huge shift to her first days as PM – when her first visit was to Scotland to meet Nicola Sturgeon.
Westminster insiders said the blast reflected the feeling that a second Independence referendum was inevitable.
One veteran claimed: “Theresa May knows if Nicola Sturgeon wins an Indy Referendum she’s toast – so the gloves are off.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will step up the attacks by launching a root-and-branch review of school reforms in Scotland.
Speaking at the Scottish Tories party conference, she will claim the SNP are responsible for a “collapse in standards” in education north of the border.
PICASSO TRENDY
THERESA May flaunts the art of leadership with a bracelet of Pablo Picasso works.
The PM, 60, wore the accessory while addressing the Tory party conference in Glasgow yesterday.
Two paintings by the Spanish artist — Portrait of Dora Maar and Straw Hat In Blue Foliage — were visible.
Mrs May told Scots they would not get control of key policy areas like fishing and agriculture post-Brexit.