FOOTAGE of Tory leadership hopeful Boris Johnson describing the Scottish funding settlement as "monstrous" and urging Holyrood to "pay for themselves" has resurfaced online.
The PM contender's team said last week that the Barnett formula would remain unchanged if Johnson becomes Tory leader, but a clip from 2009 shows the MP claiming Scotland receives "considerable subsidies" from the rest of the UK.
“I do think it pretty monstrous that you get free care for the elderly in Scotland and no tuition fees when you still get considerable subsidies from the rest of the UK”
— Glenn Campbell (@GlennBBC) July 5, 2019
@BorisJohnson in 2009 on Scottish funding settlement - which his team say will “not change” if he’s PM pic.twitter.com/OzSrn80kod
The former London mayor has previously been outspoken on his disdain for the Barnett formula, at a recent hustings even failing to rule out scrapping the system altogether.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson refuses to rule out scrapping Barnett formula
In the footage, Johnson says: “I do think it pretty monstrous that you have free care for the elderly in Scotland and no tuition fees, to top-up fees when you still get considerable subsidies from the rest of the UK – in particular from England and in particular from London which contributes net £18bn to the UK economy.
"So I do think that it might be a good thing if the Scottish Parliament used its tax varying policies, its tax varying powers, to pay for themselves."
After the clip was posted on Twitter, Yessers were quick to point out the flaws in Johnson's argument.
We get no subsidies, as you both well know. We send taxes to WM. WM takes its cut & returns what’s left to us. The reason we have these things is because we have a SNP gov which spends on folk/services not vanity Garden Bridges and tax cuts on wealthy pals.
— Child of Alba 🏴 (@ChildOfAlba) July 5, 2019
Subsidies???
— 🏴🇪🇺 Iain 🏴🇪🇺 (@Mac_Gadget) July 5, 2019
Wonder what Westminster gets out of the deal, if Scotland was a burden we’d have been independent years ago or England would be? It’s them that can’t stand on their own feet...https://t.co/zNPAtdRbru
WAKE UP SCOTLAND 🏴 pic.twitter.com/F72tA4drda
Well put you money where you mouth is @BorisJohnson. Grant Scotland a section 30 order and we'll be out of you subsidising hair tout suit.
— Blue Cybernat #BloodyJocks Bot (@Cat5weaver) July 5, 2019
The new Tory leader is expected to be announced on July 23.
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