Strength of the Union 2023-03-29
2023-03-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP asks for an assessment of the current state and support for the Union.
What recent assessment has he made of the strength of the Union?
The Secretary of State believes the Union is strong with high support. He emphasizes that people want their governments delivering on issues such as levelling up, cost of living, and working with the Scottish Government to deliver freeports, investment zones and city and region growth deals.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide a recent assessment or specific data about the Union's strength.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP references opinion polls showing people in Scotland want both UK and Scottish Governments to work together.
Does the Secretary of State agree that the new SNP leader should focus on issues such as economy, NHS, schools and jobs rather than another independence referendum?
The Secretary of State calls for the new First Minister to seize the opportunity to collaborate instead of confrontation. He does not explicitly confirm or deny agreement with the specific focus areas mentioned by the MP.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No explicit commitment to the suggested priorities, only a call for collaboration without specifics.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP asks if growing support for the Union shows people seeing advantages of working together on challenges.
Does he agree that growing support for the Union shows people across Scotland seeing the benefits of collaboration rather than following separatists' path?
The Secretary of State agrees and highlights examples such as freeports, investment zones, and city and region growth deals demonstrating collaboration.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific data on growing support for the Union or detailed commitments to collaborative actions.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questions if the Chancellor's Budget strengthened the Union by delivering for all parts.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that by extending cost of living support and taking measures to deliver long-term sustainable growth while reducing inflation, the Chancellor's Budget strengthened the Union?
The Secretary of State confirms the cost of living support package totals £94 billion, an average of £3,300 per household in the UK. He does not explicitly agree or disagree with the MP's assessment about strengthening the Union.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No explicit agreement on whether the Budget strengthened the Union, only figures on cost of living support provided.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP questions if the Union's greatest achievement has been Brexit, high energy prices in resource-rich Scotland or being run by a Tory government.
Could he tell us what the Union's greatest achievement has been in the past few years?
The Secretary of State notes that the hon. Gentleman did not quote any opinion polls and mentions Brexit results without addressing achievements explicitly. He states the constitution is entirely reserved to UK Government, asking Scottish Govt to focus on crime, drug deaths, health service, education.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not address Union's achievements or support divisionary questions, shifts to what Scottish Govt should focus on instead.
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP mentions recent polls favouring union over independence and asks if the new First Minister should focus on issues such as NHS, education and inflation.
Does the Secretary of State think that the new First Minister should focus on issues like the NHS, education and inflation rather than independence?
The Secretary of State agrees, stating constitution is entirely reserved to UK Government and asks Scottish Govt to focus on crime, drug deaths, health service, education. He does not commit to prioritizing these issues over independence directly.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not explicitly confirm or deny the suggested priorities but emphasizes day job focus instead of constitutional matters.
Response accuracy