Reactions to Boris Johnson as prime minister: Nicola Sturgeon has ‘profound concerns’ and Ruth Davidson predicts ‘enormous task' ahead
Boris Johnson - Image credit: PA
Nicola Sturgeon has expressed “profound concerns” about Boris Johnson as prime minister, saying it would be “hypocritical” not to do so, following the news that Johnson has beaten Jeremy Hunt in the Conservative leadership race by 92,153 votes to 46,656.
The First Minister congratulated Johnson on his election, but said she said was certain the majority of the people of Scotland would not have chosen to hand the keys to Number 10 to “someone with his views and his track record”.
She warned that she would “do everything possible” to ensure he respected Scotland’s views and interests and would oppose a no-deal Brexit.
Sturgeon said: “Mr Johnson should be in no doubt about the gravity of the situation he is about to inherit as prime minister nor, in particular, about the strength with which I and others will oppose his threat of a no-deal Brexit.
“Brexit of any kind would be deeply damaging to Scotland and the rest of the UK, but his public pledge to leave the EU by October 31st – ‘come what may’ and ‘do or die’ – flies in the face of logic, common sense or any basic regard for the well-being of the people and nations of the UK.
“It is a deeply irresponsible threat, and not one that should be contemplated by any serious political leader. It should now be taken off the table without delay or equivocation.
“A No-deal Brexit would do huge damage to jobs, investment and living standards as well as posing serious and totally unnecessary questions on critical issues such as medical supplies.
“The Scottish Government will be at the forefront of all and any moves to stop Brexit and block a No-deal Brexit, as will SNP MPs in the House of Commons.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who has been open about her political differences with Johnson in the past and backed his rival Jeremy Hunt, warned that Johnson had an “enormous task ahead of him”.
She said: “Mr Johnson takes over the leadership at an incredibly challenging time for our country, and he has an enormous task ahead of him.
“My priority as Scottish Conservative leader is to ensure that he will deliver for Scotland within the UK, stop Nicola Sturgeon’s efforts to take us back to a second independence referendum, and prevent Jeremy Corbyn from getting into Number Ten.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Boris Johnson represented a “dangerous form of English nationalism” and predicted that the “one certainty of his election as leader of the Tory party is more uncertainty for the future of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”.
Leonard said: “Johnson some time ago abandoned the unionist tradition of the Conservative and Unionist party. The Tory Party he now leads is a real and present danger to Scotland’s place in the UK.”
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie also expressed concerns about Boris Johnson as prime minister and said his selection “reinforces the need” to hold a second independence vote “urgently”, while Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said that faced with a choice of Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn it was “pretty obvious that [new Lib Dem leader] Jo Swinson should be in charge”.
But others have offered their support to Johnson.
Current prime minister Theresa May has promised to back Johnson in keeping Jeremy Corbyn out of government once she returns to be being a backbencher.
She tweeted: “Many congratulations to @BorisJohnson on being elected leader of @Conservatives - we now need to work together to deliver a Brexit that works for the whole UK and to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of government. You will have my full support from the back benches.”
And Scottish secretary David Mundell tweeted: “I congratulate Boris Johnson on his clear win in the leadership contest.
“Our party must now unite behind the new leader and Prime Minister, so we can get on with the job of delivering Brexit, whilst maintaining a strong United Kingdom.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster also tweeted: “Congratulations to @BorisJohnson on becoming Conservative Party Leader.
“Look forward to discussing our shared objectives of strengthening the Union, delivering Brexit & restoring devolution.”
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