Charles’s Coronation ‘will unite Kingdom’

THE Coronation will ‘bring the whole country together’, the Scottish Secretary has said in his New Year message.

Alister Jack also said the nation’s response to the death of the Queen showed ‘the United Kingdom at its very best’.

He added: ‘King Charles III and the Queen Consort will be crowned next May.

‘We can look forward to a very special day that I am sure will again bring the whole country together.’

Mr Jack also acknowledged the UK faces ‘real challenges’ because of the impact of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine and said ministers will work to turn around the economy and achieve sustainable growth.

In a plea to the Scottish Government, he said: ‘Serious times demand serious plans. The need for Scotland’s two governments to work together on shared challenges and real priorities has never been more pressing.

‘There is much to be done, but by working together we can ensure that Scotland, as part of a strong United Kingdom, has a bright future.’

In other New Year messages, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that thinking back to last Hogmanay, when severe Covid restrictions were in place, reminds people of ‘just how far we have come from the very darkest days of the pandemic’.

But she said the impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis ‘is making life really tough for people and businesses’. She vowed to work to help people who need it most, while looking forward ‘with optimism and resolve’.

Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, reflected ‘just how far we have come in the past 12 months’.

Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, said: ‘As we enter 2023, let’s resolve to advocate for the change that this country needs, to fight for unity rather than division, and to come together to build a brighter future.’