It’s vital to stress the case for the Union

FOR more than 300 years, the UK’s internal market has been the foundation of our shared prosperity.

But it is this international success story that the SNP wants to rip apart – creating an economic black hole.

Independence would mean trade barriers that could lead to a loss of nearly £2billion to Scotland’s GDP.

That is why Michael Gove is right to underline the threat of nationalism to the long-term viability of the Scottish economy.

And he’s entirely correct when he says the SNP is intent on engineering a ‘stooshie’ over an alleged Brexit power grab.

In fact, as Mr Gove points out, the Scottish Government will gain new powers in 111 policy areas – a ‘strengthening of devolution’.

Yet, despite its incoherent agenda, the SNP is performing well in the opinion polls, and on course for victory at next May’s Holyrood election.

So it is encouraging that Boris Johnson’s Cabinet will prioritise discussion of the fate of the Union when it meets this week.

It is essential that the electorate is reminded of the unanswered questions about Scottish independence – still unresolved six years after the referendum.

But it’s important that the benefits of Union membership are also highlighted at every turn – and they have been showcased throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s time to step up efforts to counter the bogus arguments and endless negativity of the Nationalist movement.

This is an alliance that has prospered for centuries – but its future cannot be taken for granted.