RISHI Sunak has vowed to “drive down support for independence” as he insisted the SNP claim “credit for all the good things in Scotland”.

The Tory leadership hopeful made the assertion in a column for the Daily Mail, adding that he would “stand up to the SNP” and hold them to account for their actions.

He also said that the UK Government must persuade Scots they can be both patriotic and proud advocates of the Union.

READ MORE: Ofcom finds BBC in breach of impartiality guidelines in interview

SNP Deputy Westminster leader Kirsten Oswald hit back at the claims, accusing Sunak of "warped logic", adding that it was clear neither he nor Truss had put "any thought into their Scotland strategy". 

Writing in the Daily Mail under the headline, “A referendum is the wrong priority at the worst time”, Sunak said he believed it was time to stop talking about “powers, constitution and process”.

He wrote: “The SNP are wrong to try and tear the country apart when we should be pulling together.”

The National: Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss taking part in the BBC Tory leadership debate live. Our Next Prime Minister, presented by Sophie Raworth, a head-to-head debate at Victoria Hall in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, between the Conservative party leadership candidates.

Sunak referenced the drugs death crisis in Scotland and how to get “more money into workers' pockets”.

It comes after both the former chancellor and his fellow contender Liz Truss (both above) vowed to crack down on trade unions ahead of numerous rail strikes over pay and conditions that will take place this week and next month.

He added: “Just as I want to be more accountable to people in every corner of the United Kingdom, so too does the SNP need to be more accountable for their responsibilities.

“They cannot continue to claim credit for all the good things that happen in Scotland, whilst blaming the UK Government for the bad.”

READ MORE: Keir Starmer squirms as Liverpool Labour voter rages at broken promises

Sunak said he would “stand up to the SNP”, ensure they are “delivering and focusing on the job at hand”, and work closely with the Scottish Tory MSPs in Holyrood.

He added: “But as a Conservative UK Government, we can’t just stop a referendum, we also need to drive down support for independence.

"We need to win the argument and show that you can be a patriotic Scot and a proud advocate of our United Kingdom at the same time. One is not exclusive to the other.

“That’s also why it’s so important that we have an energetic UK Government that is on the side of the Scottish people, delivering on their priorities.

“We have to be a lot more active across the UK, and that means putting an end to the devolve and forget mentality that has shadowed Westminster for decades.”

The National:

SNP MP Oswald (above) said Sunak's "warped logic" appears to suggest Scots cannot be given a say over their consitutional future because "the UK is in such a mess".

She added: "It is precisely because the UK is lagging behind neighbouring countries on a range of wealth and equality indicators – as demonstrated in the recent Scottish Government paper - that independence for Scotland is essential.

"The longer Scotland remains tied to a failing Westminster system, the poorer we will become as a result."

Oswald added that the Tories have made the same case as Sunak to Scots at every election, adding that north of the border "they lose every election by a landslide". 

READ MORE: Ofcom finds BBC in breach of impartiality guidelines in interview

She added: "It’s clear that neither of the Tory candidates have put any thought into their Scotland strategy, which does not bode well for either of them becoming Prime Minister.

“Regardless of what Rishi Sunak thinks, the people of Scotland have already decided that they want to be offered a choice over their future – they did that in last year’s election when they elected a clear majority of MSPs with that commitment.  

“One way or another, the SNP will ensure that the people of Scotland will get the democratic say over their constitutional future that they have asked for – and the more that out-of-touch Westminster Tories like Rishi Sunak try and deny Scottish democracy, the more they underline exactly why Scotland needs independence.”

The National: Gillian Mackay MSP gives a speech at a reproductive rights rally outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as pro-choice activists gathered outside the consulate to stand in solidarity with those in America protesting the recent Roe vs Wade re-appeal. The

 

Gillian Mackay (above), Scottish Greens MSP, added: “Instead of fantasising about driving down support for independence, Rishi Sunak would be well advised to concentrate on trying to drive up his own support among Tory members, as if the polls are to be believed it looks like he’s going to lose.

"Regardless who comes out on top of this Tory party circus though, it’s clear that Scotland will be landed with yet another Tory Prime Minister that we didn’t vote for.

"That’s why it’s time we put Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands, and leave this Westminster pantomime behind.”

Truss last week said that she would not agree to a Section 30 request from the Scottish Government under any circumstances.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has branded the two hopefuls “hypocrites” in response to their comments and refusal to engage over a referendum, while Kirsten Oswald, the SNP’s deputy Westminster spokesperson, accused them of making “it clear they will continue to ignore Scotland’s voice” on Monday.

It comes as Sunak promised to close all 30 Confucius Institutes, Chinese teaching institutions, in the UK – including the five in Scotland.

He previously said he would be the “most interventionist” prime minister in Scotland since devolution began, and confirmed he will continue to support Boris Johnson’s flagship levelling up agenda, which has been criticised for funding projects in devolved areas.

READ MORE: Lawyers slate Jackie Baillie for claiming Scotland is bringing back warrant sales

Scotland's Confucius Institutes – in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt universities – are coming under greater scrutiny as Sunak pledges to curb their “soft power”. The institutes promote the teaching of Chinese culture and language in the UK.

Both leadership contenders have brought the issue of China into the debate, with Sunak accusing Truss of facilitating the rise of Confuscius Insitutes – nine opened when she was an education minister in 2012 to 2014.

However, in last night’s BBC debate, Truss accused Sunak and the Treasury of pursuing “closer economic ties” with the communist superpower only last month.