Leaving EU ‘is bolstering Union’
MICHAEL Gove has claimed that leaving the European Union has strengthened the Union – and condemned SNP supporters for being driven by a desire to ‘divide and exclude’.
The Environment Secretary launched a scathing attack on the SNP for its focus on ‘identity politics’ and likened the party’s approach to Sinn Fein and Ukip.
He also said he would ‘bet against’ there ever being another independence referendum.
Speaking at a London event on Unionism organised by the Policy Exchange think-tank, Mr Gove also suggested the SNP tries to give the impression that people living in Scotland have ‘superior virtue’.
The Scots-born MP said: ‘Those forces and movements in our politics which are opposed to Unionism tend to be those most susceptible to, or animated by, identity politics – whether it is the Scottish nationalism that conflates truly progressive politics with superior virtue that apparently can only really come from living north of the Border, or the Little Englanders which feel it is not just the cross of St George which needs a white background.
‘A politics opposed to the diversity of the United Kingdom in either direction privileges identity over inclusivity. But if Unionism is a political outlook which stands opposed to identity politics, how does it fare in a post-Brexit world? Well, the truth... is that Brexit has, certainly so far, strengthened Unionist currency in our politics, not weakened it.
‘Take Scottish nationalism: since the vote to leave the European Union, support for Scotland leaving the United Kingdom has diminished.
‘The SNP’s vigorous championing of another independence referendum has led it to drop in the polls, lose seats at the last General Election and now lose momentum and authority in office.
‘It faces further losses in future elections at the hands of all three Unionist parties: the Liberal Democrats, Labour and, above all, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.’