Boris Johnson calls for renewal of 'ties that bind UK' ahead of Scotland visit

The PM is heading north of the border to detail a new funding pot for communities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Image: Boris Johnson wants countries of the UK to 'renew ties' to ensure a bright future after Brexit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK must "renew the ties" between its four nations to ensure a bright post-Brexit future.
The Conservative leader is heading north of the border for his first visit to Scotland since taking office, and is aiming to use the trip to show his commitment to driving economic growth outside England.

He will announce a £300m funding pot for communities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a bid to allay fears over a break-up of the union after Brexit, with the SNP having branded him the "last prime minister of the UK".

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Ahead of an appearance at a military base in Scotland on Monday, Mr Johnson said: "Our union is the most successful political and economic union in history.
"We are a global brand and together we are safer, stronger and more prosperous. So as we prepare for our bright future after Brexit, it's vital we renew the ties that bind our United Kingdom."

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Downing Street has said that visits to Wales and Northern Ireland will follow his trip to Scotland, with the latter to be focus on the ongoing talks to restore devolution at Stormont.
There has been no government in Northern Ireland since January 2017 because of disagreements between the DUP and Sinn Fein, with attempts to restore their power-sharing agreement having proved fruitless.

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Image: Nicola Sturgeon wants another Scottish independence referendum

Scotland is also facing an uncertain future, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon considering the timetable for when there could be another independence referendum.
Both Ms Sturgeon and her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford have told Mr Johnson it would be "unconscionable" for him to pursue a no-deal Brexit, but senior ministers have said the government is working on the assumption that the UK will indeed leave the EU without an agreement on 31 October.
The prime minister - who has also taken the title of minister of the union in a bid to signal his commitment to keeping the four countries together - has said Britain will leave the bloc by Halloween "do or die".

Image: The prime minister says he wants to drive economic growth outside London and the South East

His attempt to win the backing of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland through his so-called growth deals plan follows the announcement of a £3.6bn fund to help an initial 100 towns in England.
In his first speech outside Westminster since replacing Theresa May, Mr Johnson also promised a new high-speed rail route between Manchester and Leeds to help boost development in the North.
Mr Johnson has said "it is time that we unleashed the productive power not just of London and the South East but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland