Sir Keir Starmer to visit Scotland for first time as new Prime Minister
The new Prime Minister will meet with John Swinney in Edinburgh today
Last updated 7th Jul 2024
Sir Keir Starmer is visiting Scotland today for the first time since becoming the new Prime Minister.
He will visit Edinburgh on Sunday to start a tour of the UK to meet with the heads of the devolved governments as part of an immediate reset in the way UK Government works with them.
He has pledged to put Scotland "back at the beating heart" of everything the UK Government does following Labour's landslide victory in the general election on Thursday.
Sir Keir said he was offering the Scottish Government a "genuine seat at the table" and that they could deliver change for a generation through "meaningful co-operation".
He will meet with First Minister John Swinney on Sunday for a substantive discussion on the pressing issues and areas where both governments can work together.
It comes after both leaders spoke on the phone on Friday evening, the day the Prime Minister came into office.
Speaking ahead of the visit to Scotland, Sir Keir said:
"Our UK Government will place Scotland back at the beating heart of everything we do.
"To the people of Scotland my message is simple and clear: You are at the heart of how we unleash prosperity across the country. We will rebuild a strong Scotland at the forefront of our decade of national renewal.
"My offer to the Scottish Government is the same. We can turn disagreement into co-operation and, through meaningful co-operation and a genuine seat at the table, deliver change for a generation."
In the phone call with Sir Keir on Friday evening, Mr Swinney congratulated the new Prime Minister on his appointment and committed to working co-operatively with the UK Government on "areas of mutual interest".
Speaking ahead of Sunday's meeting, Mr Swinney said:
"I was really pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister on his first day in office and to congratulate him and wish him, and his family, well.
"I look forward to welcoming the Prime Minister to Scotland, where I hope to have constructive discussions with him on our shared priorities for the people of Scotland.
"This includes eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, prioritising net zero and ensuring effective public services.
"I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to forge a positive relationship between our governments and, for our part, the Scottish Government is committed to working constructively with the UK Government to build a better Scotland."