BORIS Johnson will make another trip to Scotland next month as Downing Street changes its strategy against independence, it has been reported.
Since he was elected with an 80-seat majority in December, support for independence has gradually increased – and according to recent polls, between 53-55% of Scots now support leaving the Union.
In response to the boosted numbers, Johnson has told his Cabinet ministers to be more visible in Scotland and he now plans a “regular roll call” of ministerial trips north of the Border, the Press and Journal reported.
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The newspaper said they’d been informed by a source that the Tories’ new strategy to promote the Union will see “subtle changes in messaging” and a greater role for the new Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross.
An insider said he could be dubbed the “deputy minister for the Union”. The National reported this week that after more than a year on from Johnson gifting himself the Minister for the Union title, he still has no listed responsibilities under the role. Downing Street did not respond when asked if this was an error.
A Number 10 source claimed that there is now a “greater understanding” of the situation in Scotland among senior government figures.
They said: “There will be subtle changes in messaging, there will be moves away from defensive language around defending our precious Union and moves instead to promoting a positive message around the four nations.
“The SNP have managed to paint Westminster as Mordor and we need to change that, Boris understands the scale of the challenge ahead.”
The SNP have been contacted for comment.
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