Rishi Sunak will preside over a tumultuous time for the union as Nicola Sturgeon is pushing for a second Scottish independence referendum in 2023. Here’s what the MP for Richmond has said about Scotland in the past.
5. On indyref2
Rishi Sunak said in 2017 it "seems hard" to block a second Scottish independence referendum, but it should be pushed until after Brexit, saying "a good deal will strengthen the case for the Union". However, Mr Sunak has since said he has "absolutely no intention" of holding a "divisive" indyref2. Photo: LEON NEAL
6. Devolution
If he becomes Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said he would "abandon the Westminster 'devolve and forget' mentality and become the most active UK-wide government in decades". But the comments have been criticised as a potential power grab by some, with Ian Blackford calling it a "dangerous proposition". Photo: Victoria Jones
7. Bypassing Holyrood
While Chancellor, Rishi Sunak was accused of bypassing the Scottish Parliament as part of his levelling up fund by sending £172m directly to eight Scottish infrastructure projects. "I'm delighted we could actually directly fund local communities and projects across Scotland," he told the BBC, saying he was "proud of the Union" when asked if he was planting a "great big Union Jack" on the projects. Photo: PA
8. On North Sea oil and gas
Ahead of a visit to Aberdeen in June 2022, Rishi Sunak said the North Sea "will be the foundation of the UK's energy supply in the decades to come". He said: "It's vital we encourage continued investment by the oil and gas industry in the North Sea" and said he would provide "huge tax reliefs" to projects that cut emissions. Photo: OLI SCARFF