Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has announced a determined effort to counter what she describes as separatists seeking to break up Britain. She declared that the Conservative Party is prepared for a "fight on our hands" against pro-independence parties currently leading the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Badenoch asserted that the Tories are the only party with the "team and the plan to get Britain working again" and expressed confidence that the party will win the next general election for "everyone who wants to see our great country united."
She specifically criticized Labour's Andy Burnham for what she termed "clumsily opening the door to a second independence referendum." Badenoch highlighted the recent Conservative victory in the Aberdeen South by-election as evidence of the party's ability to connect with voters and replicate success across the nation. She stated that the victory, which centered on North Sea drilling, demonstrated the party's understanding of local issues and its capacity to offer effective solutions.
"There are separatists running not just Scotland, but Wales and Northern Ireland too," Badenoch said in her address to the Conservative conference. She added that the party's leaders in Scotland and Wales, Russell Findlay and Darren Millar respectively, are at the "frontline of that fight" for the union.
Burnham had faced criticism from other pro-Union parties for suggesting that "majority public support" could trigger a new Scottish independence vote, drawing parallels with the situation in Northern Ireland. He later sought to clarify his remarks, emphasizing that a referendum was "off limits."
Badenoch also spoke about the importance of North Sea oil and gas, stating that "importing can increase emissions" and that the government's energy policy was impacting Aberdeen. "No more. We will drill in the North Sea, increase our tax revenues, and drive down energy prices," she vowed, also calling for investment in renewables and nuclear power, including new small modular reactors.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay echoed Badenoch's sentiments, calling her speech "full of common-sense plans" and emphasizing her commitment to Scotland's place within the United Kingdom. He criticized the SNP and Labour governments for their perceived damage to Scotland and pledged to work with Badenoch to oppose separatist plans.
SNP MP David Linden acknowledged that constitutional change is a significant issue and stated that the future of the islands is "front and centre." He maintained that the decision on Scotland's future rests with the Scottish people and expressed skepticism about a unionist campaign led by Burnham, Badenoch, and Nigel Farage.