UK-financed projects in Scotland will fly a Union flag as Boris Johnson battles independence drive

UK government-financed projects in Scotland will fly a Union flag as Boris Johnson battles Nicola Sturgeon’s independence drive

  • PM wants it to figure in same way as EU emblem on Brussels-funded schemes
  • Move due to to come into effect after the transition period ends in December
  • Comes as PM battles strong support for independence in Scotland 

UK government-funded projects in Scotland will be stamped with the Union flag to show who paid for it after Brexit.

Boris Johnson wants the emblem to be included in the same way that European Union flags were included on infrastructure and other schemes paid for in whole or part via Brussels’ cash.

The move, due to to come into effect after the transition period ends on December, comes as the Prime Minister battles strong support for independence in Scotland as well as his own dire personal ratings. 

Opinion polls show the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon is on course for another sweeping victory in the 2020 Scottish Parliament elections. 

Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Tory leader, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘We should be unashamed of our direct investment in communities across Scotland. We will see that through the shared prosperity fund, that is the money that the EU used to earmark for projects in Scotland and other parts of the UK.

‘If they could have an EU flag on it – why not have the United Kingdom flag on it to show that here is an example of our two governments in Scotland, working together and the UK government delivering for individual communities and projects the length and breadth of the country?’

Boris Johnson wants the emblem to be included in the same way that European Union flags were included on infrastructure and other schemes paid for in whole or part via Brussels’ cash

Boris Johnson

Douglas Ross

The move comes as the Prime Minister battles strong support for independence in Scotland as well as his own dire personal ratings. Douglas Ross, the new Scottish Tory leader, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘If they could have an EU flag on it – why not have the United Kingdom flag on it to show that here is an example of our two governments in Scotland, working together and the UK government delivering for individual communities and projects the length and breadth of the country?’

This week a YouGov poll found that, excluding ‘don’t knows’, 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union.

That was a two point rise from January, and the highest level the firm has ever recorded.

Meanwhile, some 57 per cent plan to vote for the SNP in Scottish parliament elections next spring – which will be critical for Ms Sturgeon’s claim to have a mandate for a new referendum.

The findings in the poll for The Times will cause fresh alarm in Downing Street about the prospects of losing the battle against the separatists.

A YouGov poll found that, excluding 'don't knows', 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union

A YouGov poll found that, excluding ‘don’t knows’, 53 per cent north of the border supported splitting from the UK, compared to 47 per cent who wanted to keep the union

A series of other surveys have confirmed a groundswell in favour of independence, with Ms Sturgeon seeing her popularity rise sharply over her handling of the coronavirus crisis.

She had a net rating of plus 50 in the latest YouGov study, up from plus 5 a year ago.

By contrast Boris Johnson’s rating is minus 50, having slumped by 16 points over the past 12 months.

Among senior Tories, only Ruth Davidson, who has temporarily returned as leader of the Scottish party at Holyrood until Mr Ross finds a seat, has a positive rating on plus 15.