I’ll deliver for the whole of Britain, Liz promises

LIZ Truss will become Minister for the Union – if she wins the leadership race – as she said Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales had been ‘let down by nationalist and Left-wing parties’.

Writing for The Mail on Sunday, the frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest said she would strengthen the historic ties between the countries.

Speaking ahead of hustings against Rishi Sunak in Scotland next week, the Foreign Secretary said she would ensure the economy delivered for all parts of the country.

‘Building a strong economy and getting the private sector motoring right across the country, is critical to ensuring our Union doesn’t just survive, but thrives.

‘I will deliver for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. People have been let down in the devolved administrations by nationalist and Left-wing parties.’

Yesterday, she pledged to continue opening up new export markets for iconic British products, such as Scottish whisky and smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and ships in Northern Ireland.

Ms Truss, who grew up in Paisley, said she considered herself a ‘child of the Union’ – and would seek to strengthen it.

She took aim at devolved administrations the SNP in Scotland, Mark Drakeford, the Labour leader of Wales, and Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland.

She accused them of ‘playing political games instead of focusing on their priorities’.

‘Mark Drakeford’s Labour in the Senedd rely on the endorsement of nationalists and have failed to invest in key infrastructure in Wales,’ she said.

‘In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein remain eager to drive a wedge between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and push themselves further and further away.

‘In Scotland, instead of delivering on people’s priorities, the SNP are preoccupied with independence. They are seeking another referendum next year, when we should be focused on diverting a recession.’

The SNP accused her of having a ‘total disregard’ for Scotland ahead of her visit. She also vowed to find a solution to the intractable issue of the Northern Ireland protocol which has long dogged Brexit talks.

The Foreign Secretary has previously clashed with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after accusing her of being an ‘attention seeker’ who is ‘best ignored’ on independence.

It came as Tory MP and Liz Truss supporter Scott Benton posted a picture of his ballot paper on Facebook.