Rishi Sunak’s first prime ministerial visit to Scotland was tightly controlled and largely drama-free.
But his fledgling relationship with Nicola Sturgeon – which seems stronger than that of either of his predecessors’ – is likely to be challenged next week.
The first minister’s new gender recognition law could be blocked by the UK government. This would be an unprecedented step in 25 years of devolution.
The bill, which Nicola Sturgeon called “possibly the most scrutinised piece of legislation” in Holyrood’s history, intends to make it easier for people in Scotland to change gender.
However, there are concerns in Whitehall it may cause wider problems across the UK with pensions, benefits, schooling and prisons.
The issue was discussed last night as Mr Sunak and Ms Sturgeon met at an Inverness hotel for an “informal and private working dinner”. At no point did they appear together in public.
This choreography seems to have been an attempt by Number 10 to avoid repeating the awkward pictures and painful headlines of Boris Johnson’s 2019 visit to meet the First Minister at her official residence in Edinburgh.
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Much of last night’s bilateral was taken up talking of the “shared challenges” the PM was so keen to highlight: principally NHS waiting times and ambulance delays.
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Ms Sturgeon raised objections to Mr Sunak’s new anti-strike legislation, which she argues “threatens to undermine and weaken the rights of workers”. The leaders also discussed Scottish independence and freeports.
While the pair may be ideological opposites on Brexit, independence and trade unions, allies of both leaders describe their management styles in strikingly similar terms.
Words like “thorough”, “conscientious” and “detail oriented” are often used. I have also spoken to colleagues who say both are occasionally reluctant to delegate.
Ms Sturgeon has been in government for almost 16 years. Mr Sunak has not even reached 16 weeks. We should soon find out if their surprisingly “constructive” partnership will last.
