Stirling’s MP says that Scotland must now be afforded another independence referendum after Rishi Sunak was appointed the third Tory Prime Minister this year.
Alyn Smith says that the appointment of Mr Sunak as PM is undemocratic and claims that Scotland must have its say.
Mr Sunak succeeded Liz Truss as Prime Minister after she resigned after just 44 days in office following mounting pressure from backbench MPs last week.
A Conservative leadership race was then launched and Mr Sunak was victorious. Yesterday (Tuesday) he was granted permission from King Charles III to form a new government.
Following Mr Sunak’s selection as Tory party leader and new PM, Mr Smith said: “The Tories cannot honestly believe it to be democratic to install their third leader this year as Prime Minister – and then expect the public to accept further rounds of brutal austerity to pay for Tories’ economic vandalism.
“This is yet another Tory Prime Minister Scotland did not vote for – and we must have our say. It’s clear Scotland deserves so much better than this dysfunctional and frankly dangerous Union.
“Businesses and households across Stirling face real challenges in this cost of living crisis, with food prices, inflation, energy costs, mortgages and other expenses all soaring.
“We need the powers of independence to rebuild our economy and communities – and regain our place within the European Union.”
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Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP, Alexander Stewart, welcomed Mr Sunak’s appointment, having previously supported him when Boris Johnson stepped down.
Mr Stewart said: “It was widely reported and acknowledged that I supported Rishi the first time round after the initial resignation, as he showed during his time as Chancellor, not least in his work with the furlough scheme as well as the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ initiative, that he understood the importance of business, jobs and stability as being vital to our economy and wellbeing as a country.
“Indeed the United Kingdom, like many others around the world, faces tough economic challenges but now against that backdrop, it is essential that we have someone at the helm with a proven track record in running the nation’s finances, who can provide economic stability and vital reassurance to the markets.
“Recent weeks have been immensely difficult and unsettling for both the Conservative Party and more importantly the entire country, however now our absolute laser focus must be on bringing the nation together – not division – and navigating the tough economic conditions we face; a task I am convinced that Rishi Sunak is uniquely well qualified for.”
In his first public address as PM, Mr Sunak made a speech outside Number 10 yesterday (Tuesday) in which he warned that there will be “difficult decisions to come” as he aims to boost the UK economy.
Mr Sunak said that “mistakes were made” during Ms Truss’ short reign and he vowed to “fix them”.
He said: “I want to pay tribute to my predecessor Liz Truss. She was not wrong to want to improve growth in this country. It is a noble aim and I admired her restlessness to create change.
“But some mistakes were made. Not borne of ill-will or bad intentions. Quite the opposite, in fact. But mistakes, nonetheless.
“I have been elected as leader of my party and your Prime Minister, in part, to fix them and that work begins immediately.
“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda.
“This will mean difficult decisions to come. But you saw me, during Covid, doing everything I could to protect people and businesses with schemes, like furlough. There are always limits, moreso now than ever, but I promise you this – I will bring that same compassion to the challenges we face today.’’
He went on to promise to deliver on the Tory mandate of a stronger NHS, better schools, safer streets, control over borders, protecting the environment and support for the armed forces.
