TORY members howled with laughter as an audience member at the leadership hustings suggested Liz Truss “build a wall” to deal with the prospect of Scottish independence.
The FT’s Sebastian Payne had asked the Tory leadership hopeful how she would handle the push for independence from the Scottish Government. Truss has already said she would not grant a Section 30 order to allow indyref2 to go ahead.
“Independence is very much a question again,” the journalist said. “What is your plan to reverse that?”
Before the Foreign Secretary had a chance to answer, a member in the audience suggested a Trumpian method to control the country.
“Build a wall,” he shouted – prompting cheering and laugher among the Exeter crowd.
The Tory member’s suggestion may also be a reference to Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall, which were build by the Romans across the width of northern England and the central belt between AD 122 and AD 142, making the boundary between Britannia and unconquered Caledonia.
During the hustings on Monday, the favourite to become the next PM also took aim at Sturgeon more generally.
“She’s an attention-seeker, that’s what she is,” Truss said to rapturous applause from members in the audience.
“What we need to do is show the people of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales what we’re delivering for them and making sure that all of our Government policies apply right across the United Kingdom.”
READ MORE: Former Tory MSP says Liz Truss has lost her vote after 'inappropriate' Nicola Sturgeon dig
Brexit Opportunities Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg doubled down on the attack, telling Sky News on Tuesday: “When she’s waffling on endlessly about having a referendum and going to the Supreme Court and all of this, we need to be saying ‘Hold on – you’re doing this because you’re failing to deliver for the people of Scotland, and the United Kingdom Government will have to deliver for the people of Scotland as well’.”
Deputy first minister John Swinney said “people in Scotland, whatever their politics, will be absolutely horrified by the obnoxious remarks that Liz Truss has made”.
He told BBC’s Good Morning Scotland: “Nicola Sturgeon has far more democratic legitimacy than Liz Truss is going to have if she becomes the prime minister, and I think Liz Truss has absolutely no right or foundation to make these remarks.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel