Theresa May: There will be no place for Scotland at Brexit talks Theresa May has knocked down Nicola Sturgeon’s suggestion that she must be given a place at the Brexit negotiating table […]

Theresa May has knocked down Nicola Sturgeon’s suggestion that she must be given a place at the Brexit negotiating table if the SNP wins the most seats in Scotland at next month’s general election.

The Prime Minister insisted that the forthcoming talks on Britain’s departure from the EU would be led by her and Brexit Secretary David Davis on behalf of the whole of the UK.

“I and David Davis and other will be in there representing the whole of the United Kingdom” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Theresa May

Ms Sturgeon has urged Scots to vote for the SNP on 8 June, arguing that this would allow her to press Mrs May for a key role in the negotiations with Brussels.

A win for the SNP in Scotland would also give “democratic legitimacy” to her demand that the country be allowed to remain in the EU single market, the Scottish First Minister has said.

But asked on Friday whether she would allow such a situation, Mrs May made clear that the leaders of the devolved nations would not be given a seat at the top table.

“When these negotiations take place, they’re going to take place between the United Kingdom and the 27 other countries within the European Union,” she said.

“I and David Davis and other will be in there representing the whole of the United Kingdom. I will be negotiating as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

“We will continue to talk to and work with the Scottish Government as we do with the other devolved administrations, but sitting around that negotiating table, the choice for people on June 8th is very clear – it’s either me or Jeremy Corbyn.”

Manifesto

Mrs May was speaking at the launch of the Scottish Conservative manifesto in Edinburgh, where she gave a speech alongside Ruth Davidson, the party’s leader north of the border.

The Prime Minister appealed to people who opposed Scottish independence but would not normally back the Tories to consider voting tactically next month.

“We need a government committed heart and soul to strengthening and sustaining our precious Union of nations and people,” she said.

“It is why in this election – more than in any before – it is time to put the old, tribal politics behind us. To think not about who you have voted for in the past, but about who you want to lead our country in the future.”

Responding to Mrs May’s speech, the SNP’s depute leader Angus Robertson said the Prime Minister had come to Edinburgh “to deliver one simple message to the people of Scotland – get back in your box”.

He added: “The fact is, any Tory MPs elected in Scotland will put Theresa May’s extreme Brexit before the jobs in Scotland they should be protecting.

“The Tories at Westminster have shown they will have no regard for Scottish jobs and industries without the SNP at the table and putting on the pressure.”