Rishi Sunak has claimed that Nicola Sturgeon's plan to carry a second referendum on independence subsequent yr is the "fallacious precedence on the worst attainable second".
The former chancellor is making an attempt to win votes amongst Scottish Conservative social gathering members within the race to succeed Boris Johnson however faces a powerful problem from rival Liz Truss.
Each candidates to enter Downing Avenue have spoken out in opposition to an IndyRef2 regardless of the Scottish Authorities insisting it has a transparent mandate following final yr's Holyrood election.
Sunak immediately requested why SNP ministers weren't "speaking in regards to the medication disaster in Scotland or how we will get extra money into Scottish staff' pockets" as an alternative of one other vote on the structure.
"Working collectively and uniting is what made us such a formidable power on the world stage," Sunak wrote in a column for the Scottish Every day Mail.
"Scotland has achieved a lot as a part of the UK, and the UK has achieved a lot due to Scotland. We will construct on that success for the long run, and I've a plan to do it.
"In the identical method that the may of our Union stepped as much as assist folks in all corners of the UK through the pandemic, it is going to have to assist folks by way of the fast months and challenges forward."
The Tory MP continued: "I'm clear that one other referendum is the fallacious precedence on the worst attainable second. The SNP are fallacious to attempt to tear the nation aside after we must be pulling collectively.
"Why aren't they speaking in regards to the medication disaster in Scotland or how we will get extra money into Scottish staff' pockets?
"Simply as I need to be extra accountable to folks in each nook of the UK, so too does the SNP have to be extra accountable for his or her tasks.
"They can't proceed to say credit score for all the nice issues that occur in Scotland, while blaming the UK Authorities for the dangerous.
"This is not a sustainable answer for the long run, and I'll stand as much as the SNP to make sure that they're delivering and specializing in the job at hand."
The First Minister introduced to MSPs in June that her authorities is planning to ask Scots the large constitutional query on October 19 subsequent yr.
However that vote is topic to judges on the Supreme Courtroom in London declaring such a transfer authorized.
Authorized arguments from each the UK and Scottish Authorities might be heard in October this yr.
The winner of the Conservative management contest is because of be introduced on September 5.
SNP MP Kirsten Oswald stated: "Rishi Sunak’s warped logic seems to be that the folks of Scotland can't be given a say over their constitutional future as a result of the UK is in such a multitude.
"It's exactly as a result of the UK is lagging behind neighbouring international locations on a variety of wealth and equality indicators – as demonstrated within the latest Scottish Authorities paper - that independence for Scotland is crucial.
"The longer Scotland stays tied to a failing Westminster system, the poorer we'll develop into consequently.
"The Tories put the precise case that Rishi Sunak is making to the folks of Scotland at each election, and so they lose each election by a landslide. It’s clear that neither of the Tory candidates have put any thought into their Scotland technique, which doesn't bode effectively for both of them changing into Prime Minister.
"No matter what Rishi Sunak thinks, the folks of Scotland have already determined that they need to be supplied a alternative over their future – they did that in final yr’s election once they elected a transparent majority of MSPs with that dedication."
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