BORIS Johnson was told he “paved the way for the end of the Union” during his final appearance at PMQs.
Johnson clashed with SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford who said the Tory MPs tenure as Prime Minister has driven support for independence to “new heights”.
It comes as Johnson claimed he wasn’t paying close attention to the Tory leadership contest, with the final two candidates set to be confirmed on Wednesday night, after Labour leader Starmer probed him on why the remaining contenders pulled out of a TV debate this week.
Numerous SNP MPs asked Johnson about independence during his last time at the despatch box, in response Johnson referenced the furlough scheme and wouldn’t be drawn on the possibility of a second referendum.
The main clash came between Johnson and Blackford who started by setting out the UK Government’s failures; £31 billion slashed from the economy due to Brexit, the biggest fall in living standards since the 70s, pay falling in real terms at a record rate, the worst economic growth forecast in the G20 outside of Russia, and the highest inflation in 40 years.
Blackford told the Commons: “Personally, I would like to thank the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister of the Union for driving support for independence to new heights.
“Westminster is holding Scotland back. The economy is failing and this Prime Minister has driven us to the brink of recession. Isn’t it the case that the Prime Minister’s legacy of catastrophic mismanagement has paved the way for the end of the Union?”
Johnson said “that’s not what I observed”, adding: “I am afraid to say, Scottish school standards are not what they should be because of the failure of the SNP. They are failing people who are tragically addicted to drugs. And the people of Scotland are facing another £900 million in tax because of the mismanagement of the SNP.”
Blackford hit out at Johnson’s record in office, adding: “Let us not forget, the Prime Minister is still under investigation because he can’t be trusted to tell the truth.
“Shameful, disgraceful, and a complete waste of Scotland’s time. This is how the people of Scotland will remember this Prime Minister.
“Isn’t it the case that the Prime Minister and his Government should have had his last day a long time ago?
“Quite simply, Downing Street is no place for a lawbreaker.”
Johnson replied: “The personal abuse stuff, I think he is talking a lot of tosh. When he is retired to his croft, which may be all too soon, I hope he will reflect on his long-running campaign to break up the greatest country in the world.”
Just moments before Johnson criticised Blackford for getting personal, he dubbed Starmer “a great pointless human bollard”.
SNP MP Dr Phillipa Whitford brought up the Scottish Government’s investments in affordable housing, extending free school meals and work done to reduce child poverty, pointing out the UK Government has taken away £1000 from the lowest earners through the Universal Credit cut. She added that Tory leadership contenders had been “falling over themselves” to promise tax cuts at the expense of welfare.
She asked: “So if the UK is meant to be a voluntary union, does he not recognise that voters in Scotland have the right to a referendum so they can choose a fairer future?”
Johnson replied: “We increased the living wage across the whole of the UK by £1000, and we've made sure that people on Universal Credit got their tax bills cut by £1000 pounds.
“In the last couple of weeks we've cut National Insurance contributions by an average of £330. “And it was because of the union that we were able to support families up and down the country, in Scotland, with the furlough and other payments to the tune of £408 billion.”
Falkirk MP John McNally pointed out that since 2014 there had been more Tory Prime Ministers “than we’ve had referendums”.
He added: “May I remind the PM of the Smith Commission report that states it is agreed by all parties that nothing in this report that prevents Scotland from becoming an independent country?
“Does the Prime Minister believe in a democracy and will he respect the people of Scotland’s right to self-determination?”
Johnson claimed the “people of Scotland do not want to be talking about constitutional issues”, saying they were instead concerned more about the cost of living and education.
During their final exchange, Johnson claimed he had not been following the contest to replace him. Starmer said the relationship between a prime minister and leader of the opposition was “never easy”, adding: “This one has proved no exception to the rule.”
He asked: “Why does the Prime Minister think that those vying to replace him decided to pull out of the Sky debate last night?”
The PM replied: “Well, I am not following this thing particularly closely, but my impression is that there has been quite a lot of debate already and I think the public are having an ample opportunity to view the talent.”
Johnson added that any of the candidates would “wipe the floor” with Starmer, likening them to “some household detergent”.
