New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reported to have told Scotland's First Minister John Swinney that they will have to "agree to disagree" on Scottish independence. The two leaders spoke on the phone on Tuesday morning for the first time since Burnham took office, and the call also covered areas where the UK and Scottish governments could work together.
Swinney raised the issue of Scotland's future, stressing the pro-independence majority in Holyrood, in the hope of advancing the debate. But a UK government source told the Press Association that the prime minister had been resistant.
PM Andy Burnham's first full day - follow live
"When the question of independence was raised, the prime minister was quite firm they would have to agree to disagree.
"It's not something he's focused on and it's not a conversation that he's interested in taking forward."
The source described the rest of the call as "quite warm and constructive".
He added that Burnham emphasised to Swinney the areas where the two governments could work together and spoke of his drive for a "new kind of politics".
Last week Swinney congratulated the former mayor of Greater Manchester after he was confirmed as UK Labour's new leader. He said he hoped to build a "constructive relationship" with Burnham that would improve the lives of people in Scotland.
Following the phone call on Tuesday, a Scottish government spokesperson said:
"He [Swinney] set out his commitment to both governments working constructively together to address the cost-of-living crisis and to lower energy bills.
"The first minister set out the majority within the Scottish Parliament for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland and looked forward to a constructive dialogue on this issue."
According to the spokesperson, Swinney also used the call to extend an invitation to the PM to visit Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney has invited Andy Burnham to Bute House "at the earliest opportunity"
On his first full day in the job, Burnham also spoke to the leaders of Wales and Northern Ireland. A Downing Street spokesperson said he stressed his desire for "practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums".
The spokesperson said:
"The prime minister said he was serious about creating a new politics - rooted in finding common ground based on collaborative, practical and pragmatic relations with the heads of the devolved governments.
"Working in partnership, the prime minister said together they could drive deeper devolution to all parts of the United Kingdom to get growth going.
"The prime minister added he was focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums, to give families more breathing room by helping them with the cost of living, which he had done today by helping millions of households with their energy bills."
How did the first call between Burnham and Swinney go?
The first call between Andy Burnham and John Swinney was described as warm and constructive, although it featured a firm exchange over Scottish independence. It was their first conversation since Burnham became prime minister, and the discussion came on Tuesday morning.
What did Swinney raise during the discussion?
Swinney raised Scotland's future and pointed to the pro-independence majority in Holyrood. He did so in the hope of advancing the debate on independence, while also pressing for a constructive relationship with the new prime minister.
What was Burnham's position on independence?
A UK government source said Burnham was resistant when independence was raised. The source said he told Swinney they would have to "agree to disagree" and that it was not an issue he was focused on or interested in taking forward.
What areas of cooperation were discussed?
Burnham emphasised areas where the two governments could work together and said he wanted a "new kind of politics". According to the UK government source, the remainder of the call was "quite warm and constructive".
What did Swinney say after the call?
A Scottish government spokesperson said Swinney committed to working constructively with the UK government to address the cost-of-living crisis and lower energy bills. The spokesperson also said he highlighted the majority in the Scottish Parliament for the future of Scotland to be decided by the people of Scotland and looked forward to a constructive dialogue.
Did Swinney invite Burnham to Scotland?
Yes. According to the Scottish government spokesperson, Swinney invited the prime minister to visit Scotland and, separately, to Bute House "at the earliest opportunity".
What else did Burnham do on his first full day?
Burnham also spoke on Tuesday to the leaders of Wales and Northern Ireland. A Downing Street spokesperson said he stressed that he wanted "practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums".
The spokesperson said Burnham was serious about creating a new politics based on common ground and collaborative, practical and pragmatic relations with the heads of the devolved governments. They added that he wanted to work in partnership to drive deeper devolution to all parts of the United Kingdom and to help families with the cost of living.
Key Facts
- Andy Burnham and John Swinney spoke by phone on Tuesday morning for the first time since Burnham became prime minister.
- Swinney raised Scottish independence; a UK government source said Burnham told him they would have to "agree to disagree".
- The call was described by the UK government source as "quite warm and constructive".
- Burnham also spoke to the leaders of Wales and Northern Ireland on his first full day in office.
- Swinney invited Burnham to Bute House "at the earliest opportunity".
