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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Alasdair Ferguson

Keir Starmer says Scotland will be 'beating heart' of UK Government ahead of visit

KEIR Starmer has promised that Scotland will be at the “beating heart” of his new Government ahead of his meeting with John Swinney.

The new Prime Minister will visit Scotland on Sunday as part of his tour of the UK nations as he plans to meet with the First Minister in a bid to improve working relations between the two governments.

The Labour leader has said ahead of his meeting with Swinney that they can work together and “turn disagreement into co-operation.”

It is believed the pair will have a “substantive discussion” on pressing issues and areas in which Starmer believes both governments can work together.

Ahead of Sunday Stamer said: “Our UK government will place Scotland back at the beating heart of everything we do.

“To the people of Scotland my message is simple and clear: You are at the heart of how we unleash prosperity across the country. We will rebuild a strong Scotland at the forefront of our decade of national renewal.

“My offer to the Scottish Government is the same. We can turn disagreement into co-operation and, through meaningful co-operation and a genuine seat at the table, deliver change for a generation.”

Earlier on Saturday Starmer told journalists outside Downing Street that he planned the trip across the UK to help recognise the contributions of all four nations.

He is expected to visit Northern Ireland and Wales before returning to England.

The two leaders had already spoken on the phone on Friday evening where Swinney congratulated Starmer on becoming Prime Minister.

(Image: PA)

A spokesperson for Swinney has already said the two governments could work together for the "benefit of people in Scotland".

They also said the First Minister is committed to working “collaboratively and cooperatively” with the UK Government on “areas of mutual interest”.

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