Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Strength of the Union

Monday 9 January 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alan Brown asked about the assessment of the strength of the Union, to which the response emphasized the benefits of working together as the United Kingdom.
  • David Linden questioned the Minister about the rise in support for Scottish independence, with the Minister responding by highlighting the Scottish people's focus on issues such as the NHS, education, and economic challenges.
  • Chris Stephens inquired about cooperation between the Government and devolved Administrations, particularly regarding proposed anti-strike legislation, to which the Minister stated that discussions are in place through established procedures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Ukraine Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP is questioning the current state and future resilience of the United Kingdom.

Question

What assessment he has made of the strength of the Union?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

When we work together as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous. We are better able to tackle the big problems—from supporting families with the cost of living, to leading the international response to Russia's war in Ukraine and to being a world leader in offering the vaccine to all our citizens. We are taking specific action in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including putting local voices at the heart of decision making.

Answered
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Q2 David Linden SNP
Scotland
Context

A recent poll in Scotland indicated majority support for independence, with concerns over anti-trade union legislation.

Question

Oh—is it still Monday? Six of the last seven polls in Scotland have shown majority support for Scottish independence. What does the Minister think is driving up that support? Is it the ignoring of the majority of pro-independence MSPs? Is it the assault on workers through the anti-trade union legislation coming forward? Or it just 12 long, brutal years of Tory rule, for which Scotland has not voted since the 1950s?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We respect the priorities of the Scottish people, who are focused on improving the NHS, on education, on tackling inflation and on getting a ferry that actually works and takes them to the islands. We will work in co-operation with the Scottish Government. We respect devolution and we want to work with them to implement the people's priorities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind growing support for independence, anti-trade union legislation concerns

How: We Respect The Priorities Of The Scottish People, We Will Work In Co-Operation

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Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Scotland
Context

The previous election saw a pro-independence majority win, and polls indicate that most Scots want to remain in the EU.

Question

If the Government and the Minister, as a proud Scot, respect the wishes of Scottish voters, surely they will respect the votes in the last Scottish parliamentary election, which elected a pro-independence majority in Parliament. Also, an opinion poll last year showed that 72% of Scots want to remain in the EU—what has happened to respecting that wish? If this is a voluntary Union, what is the mechanism for the people of Scotland to demonstrate their consent or otherwise to staying in it?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

I am very proud to be a Scots person. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the 2021 Holyrood elections: less than one third of the Scottish electorate voted for the SNP in that election.

Not addressed: Respect for voters' wishes on independence and EU membership

How: Less Than One Third Of The Scottish Electorate Voted For The Snp

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Q4 Chris Stephens SNP
Scotland Wales
Context

The MP questions how proposed legislation can be seen as collaboration when not supported by devolved administrations.

Question

A guid new year tae yin and a', and monie may ye see. The Minister talks about Administrations working together, so how is it working together when the Government propose unpopular and extreme legislation, such as the proposed anti-strike legislation that they have trailed in the media, which no devolved Administration support and which has not been consulted on? How is that strengthening the Union?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

This Government work tirelessly with the devolved Administrations. I have been in post for only a few months, and I have had two conversations specifically on Homes for Ukraine with the Scottish and Welsh Administrations. In the first three quarters of last year, there were more than 200 departmental meetings. The Prime Minister, within three weeks of taking office, met the First Ministers in Blackpool. That is the commitment of this Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Collaboration on unpopular legislation

How: This Government Work Tirelessly With The Devolved Administrations

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Q5 Chris Stephens SNP
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Concern over proposed anti-strike legislation and whether it will be accepted if devolved administrations reject it.

Question

If the devolved Administrations say no to the proposed anti-strike legislation, the Government will accept that then, will they not?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

We have established procedures in place. We are there to discuss.

Not addressed: Commitment to accept rejection

How: We Have Established Procedures In Place

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