LONDON (UK) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson will take steps to ease tensions with Scotland during a visit on Thursday. He said that the pandemic crisis has demonstrated the collective power of the United Kingdom.
Brexit and the coronavirus outbreak have strained the ties binding England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In fact, the Scottish pro-independence government is against Brexit and accuses the prime minister of committing mistakes in tackling the infection.
The prime minister will meet with businesses and military personnel during his Scottish visit. This marks a year in office and he had reaffirmed the commitment to enhance prosperity for all parts of the country when he took charge.
“The last six months have shown exactly why the historic and heartfelt bond that ties the four nations of our country together is so important and the sheer might of our union has been proven once again,” the prime minister said in a statement.
During his meeting with troops, Johnson will thank them for their response to the virus crisis by setting up testing sites and helping shift patients to medical facilities.
Though Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom in 2014, surveys show it remains split over the issue and support for independence has narrowly increased.
The Scottish National Party has accused the prime minister of muddled messaging on coronavirus. It also decided to go ahead with its own lockdown strategy.
“The only reason Boris Johnson is coming here today is because he is in full-blown panic mode amid rising support for independence,” said deputy leader Keith Brown.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field