NICOLA Sturgeon has slammed the UK Government for being out of touch after it was reported Tory ministers are planning a “rebranding” exercise to combat a surge in support for Scottish independence.
The UK Government has been urged to spend tens of millions of pounds on promoting Unionism amid fears Scotland could soon be independent, according to The Herald.
The Financial Times also reported that Theresa May’s de facto deputy, David Lidington, suggested improved “branding” on projects funded by the UK government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is crucial to saving a Union which he described as being at “real risk” of breaking up.
He added that independence in Scotland represents a “significant and urgent political challenge” which will increase if the SNP wins a majority in the 2021 Holyrood elections, according to the FT.
According to a recent Panelbase poll for the Sunday Times, support for a Yes vote has risen to 49%.
READ MORE: Scottish independence: 51% of Scots want indyref2 now
Sturgeon, responding to the Tory “branding” reports on Twitter, said: “The fact that the UK Government’s response to rising support for independence is to consider a rebranding exercise only shows how limited their understanding or genuine interest really is.”
The fact that the UK government’s response to rising support for independence is to consider a rebranding exercise only shows how limited their understanding or genuine interest really is. https://t.co/YuGHzgnqZ5
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 10, 2019
Her comments come after Tory ministers were warned they would need to implement a permanent “campaign mode” to convince Scots not to support a Yes vote, according to The Herald.
READ MORE: Theresa May's Tory Cabinet plan spending spree to save the Union
At an hour-long meeting of top UK Government ministers – dubbed the “Union Cabinet” – May insisted that the “Union had never been more important”.
The Cabinet was told tens of millions of pounds in spending would be required to strengthen and protect the Union.
That will mean an increase on the share of UK Government spending on promoting the Union – which stands at just £100,000 out of a £440 million budget marketing.
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