TORY leadership favourite Liz Truss has launched a fresh attack on politicians in the devolved nations ahead of a visit to Scotland this week.
After sparking a huge backlash by branding Nicola Sturgeon an “attention seeker”, the Foreign Secretary took aim with a swipe at devolved administrations accusing them of “playing political games” instead of focusing on “priorities”.
And she said that if she succeeds in becoming prime minister, she would take on the role of minister for the Union – a position created and held by Boris Johnson.
Truss and her rival Rishi Sunak are due to take part in the only Tory leadership hustings being held in Scotland in Perth on Tuesday.
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The SNP accused Truss – who has also rejected holding indyref2 – of having a “total disregard” for Scotland.
The party’s deputy Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald MP, right, said: “Instead of rhyming off pointless, generic rhetoric about the UK being ‘one great country’, Liz Truss must listen to the people of Scotland who voted overwhelmingly in favour of another independence referendum last year.
“The longer she denies reality, the stronger our case becomes. Be in no doubt, though: whoever does become the next prime minister, Scotland’s voice will be heard.”
In a statement, Truss insisted she would govern for the whole UK “family” if she gains the keys to No 10.
“Having grown up in Paisley before going to a comprehensive school in Leeds, I consider myself a child of the Union. When I say I will deliver for our country, I mean all of it,” she said.
“My government would put the Union at the heart of everything it does and ensure that all corners of our country are rightly championed at the very top of government.
“For too long, people in parts of our United Kingdom have been let down by their devolved administrations playing political games instead of focusing on their priorities. If elected prime minister, I will deliver for our whole country.
“We are not four separate nations in an agreement of convenience, as some would have us believe. We are one great country which shares a history and institutions, but also family and friends, memories and values.
“I would ensure that our entire family continues to get the attention, support, and investment that it deserves.”
She also hit out at the Labour administration in Wales for failing to invest in infrastructure and attacked Sinn Fein politicians in Northern Ireland for trying to “drive a wedge” between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
In contrast, she said she would invest in infrastructure throughout the UK, such as upgrading the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer and building the M4 relief road in Wales.
Truss said she would also continue to work to open up new export markets for products such as Scottish whisky and smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and ships from Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Sunak has set out plans to make Britain “energy secure” – including boosting North Sea gas production – as he seeks to make up ground in the Tory leadership race.
The former chancellor said he would legislate to make the UK “energy independent” by 2045 at the latest as he vowed to ensure there is no repeat of the looming winter crisis.
He said he would put in place immediate support for households faced with soaring energy bills and pledged action to drive up domestic energy supply with the creation of a new energy security task force and deregulation in the North Sea.
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