Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Boris Johnson legacy will be Scottish independence, claims Ian Blackford

The legacy of Boris Johnson will be paving the way for Scottish independence, the Tory leader was told today.

Ian Blackford claimed the Prime Minister's time in Downing Street had seen "catastrophic mismanagement" with the "economy failing" and inflation at a 40-year high as a result.

Johnson was forced to announce his departure as Tory leader earlier this month following a Cabinet revolt that saw several senior MPs quit the government.

At his final session of PMQs as leader, he was mocked by Blackford and Labour leader Keir Starmer over his record in office.

"I would like to think the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister for the Union for driving support for independence to new heights," Blackford said.

"Westminster is holding Scotland back. The economy is failing and this Prime Minister has driven us to the brink of a recession.

"Isn't it the case that the Prime Minister's legacy of catastrophic mismanagement has paved the way for the end of the Union"

Johnson fired back: "The Scottish Nationalists' record - let's look at where they are.

"I'm afraid to say Scottish school standards are now what they should be because of the failure of the SNP.

"They are failing people who are tragically addicted to drugs.

"And the people in Scotland are facing another £900 million in tax because of the mismanagement of the SNP."

Blackford accused Johnson of speaking "nonsense" and said "the people of Scotland know the reality that our NHS is the best performing in the UK and education standards under the SNP are moving in the right direction".

He added: "I hope that the Prime Minister has time to reflect on his conduct in his time in office".

Starmer said: “I think the message coming out of this leadership contest is pretty clear: they got us into this mess and have no idea how to get us out of it.”

Labour MPs waved goodbye at Johnson as he delivered his reply, with one shouting: “Nurse, it’s time to go.”

The outgoing Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the Conservative benches after concluding his final remarks, although his predecessor Theresa May did not join in with the applause.

In his final answer from the despatch box, Johnson said: “I want to use the last few seconds to give some words of advice to my successor, whoever he or she may be.

“Number one, stay close to the Americans, stick up for the Ukrainians, stick up for freedom and democracy everywhere.

“Cut taxes and de-regulation wherever you can and make this the greatest place to live and invest, which it is.

“I love the Treasury but remember that if we’d always listened to the Treasury we wouldn’t have built the M25 or the Channel Tunnel.

“Focus on the road ahead, but always remember to check the rear-view mirror.

“And remember above all it’s not Twitter that counts, it’s the people who sent us here.”

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.