Boris blunders on Scots campaign
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BORIS Johnson tried to laugh off his deep unpopularity yesterday as he visited to launch his party’s manifesto in Scotland.
The Prime Minister was in Fife to support Scots Tory candidates hoping to cling on at the General Election next month.
But in a typically erratic speech, Johnson had to rely on his colleagues to be kept right on key policies, including a “space port” which doesn’t yet exist.
Johnson also glossed over policies being put in place specifically to deal with the impact of his own Brexit push.
And he emphatically rejected giving any ground on the EU despite clear and consistent support in Scotland for remaining.
He also ruled out even opening a letter from Nicola Sturgeon if she asks for legal permission to hold another independence referendum next year.
Johnson, speaking to supporters behind closed doors in a hotel in
North Queensferry, Fife, was reminded that his personal popularity was minus 34 north of the Border, according to a poll published on Sunday.
Johnson looked sheepish before declaring: “We can build on that.”
He then quickly moved on to a different question.
The PM was more comfortable attacking the SNP and independence. And he confirmed that even as a minority government, he would reject a second vote on independence or the EU.
“I genuinely think it would be bad for our country,” he said. On independence, he added: “We don’t want another referendum on Scotland – we rule it out because we don’t want to destroy the most successful political partnership of the last 300 years.”
The Scottish Conservative manifesto contained pledges on fishing, despite concerns leaving the EU will damage the vital
inshore industry, while handing power to a smaller number of wealthy North Sea skippers.
Asked about more targeted “city deal” financial investment for Scotland, he was prompted by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack that “most” of the country is already covered.
On future industry, he hailed a spaceport which he thought was constructed – before Scots Tory leader Jackson Carlaw told him was only “on its way”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was attacked as unfit to lead the country.
And echoing former Tory PM David Cameron before he called the Brexit vote, Johnson claimed Corbyn would be propped up in a “coalition of chaos” with the SNP. Carlaw drew an equally hard line on the future of the UK and Europe.
He said IndyRef2 would be “brutal” for the country, adding: “We don’t need that in Scotland, we need to put that behind us.”
And in a clear pitch to Unionists, he told the room of activists: “Forget Scottish Labour.
They have abandoned the Union and Jeremy Corbyn has abandoned you.”
Sturgeon will today warn the future of Scotland is “on the line” as she formally launches the SNP’s manifesto for the election.
In a personal attack, Sturgeon will claim Johnson is “dangerous and unfit for office”.
Ahead of today’s SNP launch in Glasgow, Sturgeon said: “There is worse to come – unless Boris Johnson is stopped, this will just be the start.
“Brexit is nowhere near being done. The Tories have barely got going – they haven’t even started trade talks.
“Because of Johnson’s hardline position, there is every chance the UK will leave without a trade deal next year. That would be a catastrophe
for jobs. “And even if he somehow avoids that, his dream deal will be a nightmare for Scotland.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford later backed his boss, adding: “This dishonest Prime Minister is treating Scottish voters like fools and he shouldn’t get away with it.
“He is utterly unfit to be Prime Minister. Scottish voters should lock him out of Downing Street by voting SNP – as only the SNP can beat the Tories in Scotland.”
The Lib Dems joined the pile-on, with campaign chair Alex ColeHamilton saying: “Boris Johnson is utterly untrustworthy and the fact the Scottish Conservatives are waiting around for a pat on the head is a shameful abandonment of their constituents.”