Sunak says Sturgeon should not be ignored after Truss calls first minister an 'consideration seeker'

Rishi Sunak has stated Nicola Sturgeon must be overwhelmed slightly than ignored, aiming a dig at Liz Truss who earlier this week known as Scotland’s first minister an “attention seeker”.

Mr Sunak stated Ms Sturgeon and her celebration the SNP “pose an existential threat to our cherished union”, including: “Arguing that we should ignore them is dangerously complacent.”

Politics Hub: Updates from the Tory management race

“We can’t just bury our heads in the sand and pretend they aren’t there – we need to stop them in their tracks,” the previous chancellor stated.

“And that’s exactly what I would do as prime minister – holding the SNP to account for its failings and personally ensuring that the UK government has a laser focus on delivering for every part of our United Kingdom.”

It comes just a few days after Tory management frontrunner Ms Truss prompt she would “ignore” Ms Sturgeon if she have been to turn into the subsequent chief of the Conservative Party.

Speaking at a Tory management hustings in Exeter, the international secretary known as Scotland’s first minister an “attention seeker” and responded “no, no, no” when requested concerning the prospect of one other independence referendum if she have been to turn into PM.

“I really believe we are a family, and we’re better together,” she stated.

“I think the best thing to do with Nicola Sturgeon is ignore her. She’s an attention seeker, that’s what she is.”

But the SNP hit again on the “cack-handed” feedback, saying they’d solely enhance help for independence.

The celebration’s deputy chief in Westminster, Kirsten Oswald, stated: “The likely next prime minister has made crystal clear the partnership of equals Scotland was promised in 2014 was a sham.

“Firing low-cost photographs to seize headlines is straight out of the Trump playbook however reveals as by no means earlier than the contempt Westminster has for the democratic selections folks in Scotland make and the elected Scottish authorities.”

On Friday evening, Ms Sturgeon herself acknowledged the remark, tweeting a picture of a seal captioned: “Spotted this cute seal in stunning Argyll. I believe s/he is perhaps a little bit of an consideration seeker.”

Some Tory MPs also criticised Ms Truss‘ remarks, with former minister Liam Fox saying Ms Sturgeon had to be “handled with respect”.

Mr Fox, who is backing Mr Sunak in the leadership contest, told Sky News: “Whenever I hear politicians accusing different politicians of being consideration looking for, I do have a tendency to boost an eyebrow.

“When it comes to the first minister of Scotland, they have a constitutional position, they have to be treated with respect.”

Both Mr Sunak and Ms Truss have been clear that they’d not grant Ms Sturgeon a second independence referendum in Scotland if elected as PM and would as an alternative search to strengthen the union.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts,  Google Podcasts,  Spotify, Spreaker

Meanwhile, Mr Sunak has additionally accused Ms Truss of “imitation” because the international secretary is ready to disclose her levelling up plan which has been backed by regional Tory leaders.

The international secretary is predicted to announce that she’s going to evaluate the levelling up formulation to repair underinvestment in regional infrastructure if she turns into prime minister and can guarantee transport hyperlinks are higher built-in throughout buses, highway, and rail.

Ms Truss will add that her administration would profit from the UK’s “new Brexit freedoms” – together with creating low tax, low regulation “investment zones” on brownfield websites.

Ahead of unveiling her levelling up proposals on the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Saturday, Ms Truss stated: “My mission as prime minister will be to level up opportunity and realise aspiration no matter who you are or where you live.”

But Mr Sunak’s workforce accused Ms Truss of “copy and pasting policies put in place by Rishi” and “re-announcing two-year-old government policies”.

“Imitation is the best form of flattery, as the saying goes,” they stated.

However, regional Tory leaders Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and Jake Berry, chair of the Northern Research Group described Ms Truss’ levelling up initiatives as a “bold vision”.

Mr Street stated: “She has a bold vision for our regional economies, with the policies we need to make levelling up a reality. Her plan for investment zones, for instance, will give us a powerful tool for unlocking new investment, jobs, and growth.”