The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
UK’s broad shoulders saved Scotland after North Sea oil collapse
Theresa May said the fall in oil prices shows how crucial the union is
Theresa May has said Scotland was only able to “weather the storm” of the collapse in North Sea oil revenues because “of the UK’s broad shoulders”.
The Prime Minister said Scotland’s public services emerged “unscathed” from the crisis because of the support provided by being in the UK.
She also accused the SNP of presiding over a nation where many are “only just” getting by while “those at the top seem to flourish with ease”.
She made the comments in a Facebook statement pitched at wooing Scottish voters ahead of the Conservative Party conference this weekend.
Mrs May said: “It has become even clearer in recent months that the union which really matters to Scotland’s future is its union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland, our centuries-long ties of people, trade, history, culture and values.
“The fall in oil prices demonstrates just how crucial that relationship is financially: Scotland was able to weather
THERESA MAY
that downturn because of the UK’s broad shoulders.
“Tax revenues from the North Sea collapsed but funding for Scottish public services remained unscathed.
“That is how our union works: we share each other’s successes when times are good, and shoulder each other’s burdens when times are tough.”
Scotland’s share of North Sea oil revenue fell by 97% in the past financial year, reigniting the debate over whether an independent Scotland could afford to finance itself.
Mrs May stressed the Conservatives “hold dearly the precious bond” of the UK and will “fully engage with” the Scottish Government as they draw up the UK’s Brexit negotiating position.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Brexit offers “an exciting chance to forge a new role in the world”, with Scotland playing a key part.
Mrs May said the focus of the conference would be on “getting a better deal for the UK abroad” in exiting the EU.
She said: “As I told the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, when I met her at Bute House – my first visit outside London as Prime Minister, on only my second full day in the job – we will engage fully with and are willing to listen to options from the Scottish Government as we formulate our negotiating position for leaving the EU.
“There should be no doubt – we will get a deal that works for us all.”
The fall in oil prices demonstrates just how crucial that relationship is financially: Scotland was able to weather that downturn because of the UK’s broad shoulders.
Scotland will be better off under Brexit. That appeared to be the claim from Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday. It is a controversial contention and one rather imagines Scots will take some persuading.
Writing in Holyrood magazine, Mrs May insisted Brexit offers an “exciting chance” to forge a new role in the world.
Yet it is not too unfair to suggest that, since the June referendum, the UK Government has been in something approaching turmoil.
David Cameron stood down, Boris Johnson – the early favourite to replace him – was stabbed in the back by his Leave ally Michael Gove, who then lost out to Theresa May in the race to Number 10.
The lack of any kind of meaningful planning should the Remain side lose has been cruelly exposed.
Mrs May insists negotiations will focus on getting the best possible deal for the UK, but the rhetoric is wearing a bit thin. People want answers. Businesses need them. More than three months on from the EU referendum and still we are no closer to knowing what Brexit will actually look like.
The people of Scotland may well be better off under Brexit but the case has yet to be proved.
Once we see some evidence of tangible action we can make up our own minds. Until that point, talk is cheap.