Scotland: Philip Hammond says he ‘fears for the Union’
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Philip Hammond told the BBC’s The Nine that the union is highly valuable to both Scotland the rest of the United Kingdom. The former Chancellor of the Exchequer added that the current case for Scotland to remain as part of the UK needs to made be stronger by Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government.
Mr Hammond said: “I fear for the union.
“I believe in the union, I think it is hugely valuable both to Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
“I do fear that the case is not being made in a way that perhaps maximises its appeal.
“If we are going to persuade Scottish voters that they want to remain part of the UK we have to make an emotional appeal for the UK.
“To show the value of being part of something bigger.”
The pro-Scottish independence SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has outlined her plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence within the next two years.
During the same interview, the former Chancellor warned that the US will go directly to Europe for trade, investment, and economic policies following Brexit.
G7: Philip Hammond discusses UK's relationship with US
Mr Hammond stated that Joe Biden will want to have a strong relationship with the UK and the fundamentals of the bond will not change.
The former Chancellor added that due to Brexit, the US President will go straight to Europe for some issues instead of working with the UK to achieve goals across the continent.
Mr Hammond said: “Let’s be clear the benefits to the Americans from the relationship with the UK are primarily in the diplomatic security intelligence and defence sphere.
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“The British Government gets a lot more political value from the relationship with the US.
“Clearly, the way that relationship will work will change because Britain is no longer the bridge to Europe that it once was for US Presidents.
“I do not think the fundamentals will change, President Biden will want to have a strong relationship with the UK.
He added: “In terms of trade, investment, economics and broader politics I think we will have to recognise that the US will tend to go directly to Europe rather than working with the UK to achieve things in Europe that it may have done in the past.”
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