Rishi Sunak and Mark Drakeford have spoken for the first time since the former Chancellor became Prime Minister. Both stressed the importance of working together to face the "shared and urgent" challenges that "we face as a United Kingdom”.
Mr Sunak spoke to the First Ministers of Wales and Scotland on Tuesday evening, in talks described as "constructive". The new PM emphasised their “duty” to work together in order to respond to the UK’s “shared challenges”.
It comes in stark contrast to his predecessor Liz Truss - who never got round to ringing First Minister Mark Drakeford, during her 45-days in office. Every other recent Prime Minister has called the First Minister of Wales on the day they took office.
READ MORE: We timed how long it took Rishi Sunak to call Mark Drakeford
Mr Sunak spoke to Nicola Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford following the conclusion of his cabinet reshuffle. Following the conversation, the PM said it was “good to speak to” Mr Drakeford and Ms Sturgeon.
He tweeted: “I emphasised our duty to work closely together to respond to the shared challenges we face, so that collectively we can deliver for the people of the United Kingdom.”
Echoing the new PM's sentiments, the Welsh Labour leader tweeted: “Tonight, I spoke to the Prime Minister. A chance to congratulate the Prime Minister and discuss the importance of working together as four nations to address the urgent challenges we face as a United Kingdom.”
Ms Sturgeon said her call had been “constructive”, tweeting: “Constructive call with Rishi Sunak tonight. Ms Sturgeon said the UK Government should “address the pressure” and pain being felt by people and businesses as a result of other economic pressures and further austerity could exacerbate the problems.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said Ms Sturgeon congratulated Mr Sunak on his appointment and wished him well. “She expressed her hope that political differences notwithstanding, they would build a constructive working relationship,” the spokesperson said.
“She made clear that the Scottish Government would do everything possible to establish such a constructive relationship but stressed that this must be built on mutual respect.”
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