Prime Minister Andy Burnham told First Minister John Swinney they will have to “agree to disagree” on Scottish independence during a telephone call on Tuesday, according to a UK Government source. The call marked the first contact between the two leaders since Burnham took office on Monday.
First Contact Between Leaders
The conversation took place on Tuesday morning, with Swinney extending an invitation for Burnham to visit Scotland “at the earliest opportunity”. Swinney also raised the issue of Scottish independence, emphasising the pro-separation majority in the Scottish Parliament in hopes of advancing the debate.
However, a UK Government source told the Press Association that Burnham was resistant to discussing the matter. “When the question of independence was raised, the Prime Minister was quite firm they would have to agree to disagree,” the source said. “It’s not something he’s focused on and it’s not a conversation that he’s interested in taking forward.”
Constructive Tone on Other Issues
The source described the rest of the call as “quite warm and constructive”, with Burnham stressing areas where the two governments can work together and his drive for a “new kind of politics”. According to a Scottish Government spokesman, Swinney used the call to congratulate Burnham on his appointment and set out his commitment to both governments working constructively to address the cost-of-living crisis and lower energy bills.
The spokesman added: “The First Minister set out the majority within the Scottish Parliament for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland and looked forward to a constructive dialogue on this issue. The First Minister also extended an invitation to host the Prime Minister at Bute House at the earliest opportunity.”
