Boris Johnson blasted for playing with phone during SNP speech

The Prime Minister called yesterday’s Queen’s Speech “the most radical ... for a generation”.

He said it “sets in motion a vast interlocking programme to unite and level up across the whole United Kingdom and unleash the potential of all our people.”

He added: “This is not a programme for one year or one Parliament – it is a blueprint for the future of Britain.

“Just imagine where this country could be in 10 years’ time: trade deals across the world, creating jobs across the UK, 40 new hospitals, great schools in every community, and the biggest transformation of our infrastructure since the Victorian Age.”

But SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford warned the Tory Government’s plans will take “a wrecking ball” to Scotland’s economic and social foundations.

He said they failed to end a decade of austerity, failed to safeguard the NHS from post-Brexit trade deals, and failed to recognise the democratic right of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.

And anger was added to Blackford’s fire when the Prime Minister started studying his mobile as the SNP MP gave his response. He mocked Johnson, saying: “It is not a good look to see him playing with his phone rather than listening to the demands of the Scottish National Party.”

The Prime Minister hurriedly stuffed his phone in his pocket and replied: “Well, say something more interesting.”

Blackford told him: “The Prime Minister says say something more interesting – well Prime Minister, this is about democracy, this is about the Scottish National Party that stood in the election on a manifesto about Scotland’s right to choose.

“And it was about the Conservatives who said no to indyref2, and Mr Speaker what happened? Well the Conservatives lost more than half their members of Parliament. Prime Minister, you got your answer from the people of Scotland.”

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In his attack on the speech, Blackford said: “The Tory government’s legislative programme would spell disaster for Scotland – taking a wrecking ball to our economic and social foundations.

“Rather than addressing key challenges facing the country by ending a decade of austerity, safeguarding our valuable NHS from the dangers of a post-Brexit trade deal, and recognising the democratic right of Scotland’s right to choose a better future, the Tories have instead set out an agenda that serves the party’s narrow interests, not the interests of the country.

“In stark contrast to the deeply damaging legislative programme set out by the Tory government, the SNP published an ambitious ... plan that sought to boost the economy, protect our public services, tackle poverty, deliver action on climate change and respect Scotland’s right to choose.

“The Tories’ plan for government only goes to show the divergent path Scotland finds itself on from the rest of the UK.

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“From its proposed hostile immigration system, its failure to match the SNP Government’s commitments on health spending and the climate emergency, the sell-out of our fishing and agriculture sector, and its extreme Brexit plans that will harm our country  this is a Tory government that is actively acting against Scotland’s interests.

“In this Parliament, SNP MPs will provide the strong, effective and united opposition to the Tories that the country needs, and we will protect Scotland’s democratic right to choose our own future - so we can get on with building a fairer and progressive country for all its citizens.”

Among plans in the speech was the promise of an Employment Bill which aims to protect and enhance worker’s rights as the UK leaves the EU. But Johnson also came under fire for watering down a pledge to tackle low pay.

SNP MP David Linden pointed out that buried in the speech was a clause saying increases in the minimum wage will only happen “provided economic conditions allow.”