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PM Theresa May makes case for 'our precious Union' PM Theresa May makes case for 'our precious Union'
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has called on her fellow Conservatives to continue "loudly and clearly" putting the case for the "precious Union" of the UK.Prime Minister Theresa May has called on her fellow Conservatives to continue "loudly and clearly" putting the case for the "precious Union" of the UK.
During a speech to the Scottish Tory conference in Glasgow she said "we are four nations, but at heart one people".During a speech to the Scottish Tory conference in Glasgow she said "we are four nations, but at heart one people".
Mrs May had earlier criticised the SNP-led government at Holyrood for having tunnel vision over a second Scottish independence referendum.Mrs May had earlier criticised the SNP-led government at Holyrood for having tunnel vision over a second Scottish independence referendum.
The PM insisted that "logic and facts" were on the side of the UK.The PM insisted that "logic and facts" were on the side of the UK.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has maintained that a second referendum was "highly likely" because of Brexit.Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has maintained that a second referendum was "highly likely" because of Brexit.
Voters in Scotland backed remaining in the EU by 62% to 38%. The UK as a whole voted to leave by 52% to 48%.Voters in Scotland backed remaining in the EU by 62% to 38%. The UK as a whole voted to leave by 52% to 48%.
On the issue of Brexit, Mrs May told the conference that she was "determined" to ensure that "we leave the EU as one United Kingdom and prosper outside the EU as one United Kingdom".On the issue of Brexit, Mrs May told the conference that she was "determined" to ensure that "we leave the EU as one United Kingdom and prosper outside the EU as one United Kingdom".
'Feeble and incompetent''Feeble and incompetent'
She began her speech with a scathing attack on Labour in Scotland.She began her speech with a scathing attack on Labour in Scotland.
Mrs May said: "For too long a feeble and incompetent Scottish Labour opposition did nothing to scrutinise the SNP for their failures.Mrs May said: "For too long a feeble and incompetent Scottish Labour opposition did nothing to scrutinise the SNP for their failures.
"An SNP government interested only in stoking-up endless constitutional grievance and furthering their obsession with independence, at the expense of Scottish public services like the NHS and education, was given a free pass by Labour.""An SNP government interested only in stoking-up endless constitutional grievance and furthering their obsession with independence, at the expense of Scottish public services like the NHS and education, was given a free pass by Labour."
The address had a strong pro-Union theme.The address had a strong pro-Union theme.
Mrs May said the the UK "we cherish" is not a thing of the past.Mrs May said the the UK "we cherish" is not a thing of the past.
She added: "The Union I am determined to strengthen and sustain is one that works for working people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."She added: "The Union I am determined to strengthen and sustain is one that works for working people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."
AnalysisAnalysis
By BBC Scotland political reporter Philip Sim By The BBC's Scotland editor Sarah Smith
This was very much a speech in defence of the Union. So will there be another Scottish independence referendum? Very possibly.
There was comparatively little from Theresa May about Brexit, the other big constitutional matter of the day. With all the talk of another vote being "very likely" and "all but inevitable", Nicola Sturgeon has already marched her troops so far up the hill it's hard to see how she can march them back down again without massive loss of face and political capital.
And even the brief discussion of domestic policy was couched in terms of how the SNP was "failing" due to its "obsession" with independence. Today we got an extensive preview of the unionist case.
But after all, this was Mrs May's first proper speech in Scotland as Prime Minister; she will want to give many more. As much as she would rather focus on the tricky task of disentangling the UK from the EU, she does not want to be the premier who presided over the breakup of two unions. Mrs May talked at length about the benefits being part of the United Kingdom has bestowed on Scotland and the rest of the UK. And warned of the economic dangers of independence.
So everything from the steam engine to the Harry Potter books were trotted out in defence of the United Kingdom. Had the kitchen sink been invented by a Welshman living in Inverness, doubtless it too would have been pitched in. It was a serious and substantial speech about why she believes the UK is "Better Together".
Listening to the speech, you would almost think a referendum had already been called. Mrs May will be hoping that by coming out swinging for the Union, she can avoid having to give this speech again on the campaign trail. Read more from Sarah Smith
Other things the speech touched on included:Other things the speech touched on included: