North political leaders conflicted over new PM
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Highland politicians have been reacting to Boris Johnson becoming the UK Prime Minister yesterday after he was elected Conservative party leader on Tuesday.
He thrashed Jeremy Hunt, gaining almost twice the number of votes as his opponent with 92,153 compared to his rival's 46,656. In his victory speech, he vowed to "deliver Brexit, unite the country and defeat Jeremy Corbyn".
Mr Johnson has now officially taken over from Theresa May having been invited to form a government by the Queen.
Opposition parties were queuing up to lay into Mr Johnson as Conservative politicians in the north rallied behind their new leader.
Two leading SNP MPs, Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Drew Hendry, both agreed Scotland would need to become independent to protect itself from the “economic and social Brexit self-harm”.
Mr Blackford said: “I would like to congratulate Boris Johnson on succeeding Theresa May as Prime Minister. However, it’s clearer than ever before that Scotland faces the very real threat of being dragged down the road to economic and social Brexit self-harm.
“Rather than fanatically fanning the flames of a devastating no-deal Brexit, Boris Johnson must take a step back from the brink and, for once in his career, act in the national interest.”
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP Drew Hendry was no more hopeful than his parliamentary colleague.
He said: “That Boris Johnson used his acceptance speech to reinforce his irresponsible threat to drag us all out of the EU with no deal – come what may – gives us an early indication to expect more of the same reckless behaviour we have long become accustomed to from Mr Johnson.”
Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant said: “Boris Johnson represents a dangerous form of English nationalism, and the one certainty of his election as leader of the Tory party is more uncertainty for Scotland and the Highlands and Islands.
“A no-deal Brexit led by Boris Johnson spells disaster for our country and it is unforgivable for the Scottish Tories to back him. Only Scottish Labour is standing up for Scotland’s place in the UK, for the UK’s place in Europe and against a harmful no deal Brexit.”
MSP Kate Forbes said: “All eyes will now be on the new Prime Minister who has previously hidden behind outlandish statements and questionable rhetoric. I have little faith in Boris Johnson, if any, to make decisions that are in the best interest of the country.”
However, Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Donald Cameron said the real threats lay with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn: “I congratulate Boris Johnson on his victory.
“Given the challenges we currently face in Scotland and the wider UK, I hope he can now unite the country and deliver Brexit, as well as see off the threats posed by Nicola Sturgeon and Jeremy Corbyn.”
His regional colleague MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston called for unity and said it meant coastal communities would be revived by Brexit.
“It is incredibly important now that we unite behind the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson and deliver on the challenges that lie ahead of us.
“Here, that means a Brexit that delivers for the people of the Highlands and Islands and which, for instance, allows us to regain control of our fishing grounds, revives our coastal communities and which supports and provides increased opportunities for our farming communities.
“And, when Brexit is done, we can look forward to an inclusive government which, as Boris Johnson made clear in his acceptance speech, will govern in the best Tory tradition of uniting our country and reconciling the best instincts of all our people.”
