EDINBURGH: Theresa May was in Scotland on Friday on her first visit as Britain’s new prime minister, bidding to maintain unity after a Brexit vote that revived Scottish independence ambitions.
May was received in Edinburgh by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has threatened another referendum on Scotland leaving the UK following Britain’s seismic vote to quit the European Union.
The two leaders posed for photographs outside Sturgeon’s residence before going in for talks that will set the tone for their relationship as Britain negotiates its path to the EU exit door.
May took office on Wednesday after David Cameron stepped down as premier in the wake of the June 23 referendum.
The vote result sent shockwaves around the world and sparked fears of an economic downturn, with Britain potentially facing exclusion from Europe’s single market, a key concern for Sturgeon.
In heading swiftly to Edinburgh, May was emphasising her strong support for the union and for keeping Sturgeon’s devolved administration involved in the Brexit negotiations, a Downing Street spokesman said. “I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom,” May said in a statement Friday.
“This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I’m coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union.”
Voters in Scotland backed Britain staying in the EU and nationalist leader Sturgeon eyes this as possible grounds for another independence referendum.
May was received in Edinburgh by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has threatened another referendum on Scotland leaving the UK following Britain’s seismic vote to quit the European Union.
The two leaders posed for photographs outside Sturgeon’s residence before going in for talks that will set the tone for their relationship as Britain negotiates its path to the EU exit door.
May took office on Wednesday after David Cameron stepped down as premier in the wake of the June 23 referendum.
The vote result sent shockwaves around the world and sparked fears of an economic downturn, with Britain potentially facing exclusion from Europe’s single market, a key concern for Sturgeon.
In heading swiftly to Edinburgh, May was emphasising her strong support for the union and for keeping Sturgeon’s devolved administration involved in the Brexit negotiations, a Downing Street spokesman said. “I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom,” May said in a statement Friday.
“This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I’m coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union.”
Voters in Scotland backed Britain staying in the EU and nationalist leader Sturgeon eyes this as possible grounds for another independence referendum.
