PM calls for 'unity' in meeting with Sturgeon

Sunak expected to highlight the economic woes of the UK, and urge pragmatism

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was expected to urge Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to focus on "unity not division" when they met for the first time on Thursday.

Sunak was due to hold talks with the Scottish National Party leader in Blackpool, in the northwest of England, where they were both scheduled to attend the British-Irish Council summit.

Sturgeon continues to push for another independence referendum next year, and would use the talks to highlight the "importance of respecting the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own constitutional future", the Scottish government said.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said the meeting would also be "an opportunity to discuss the cost-of-living crisis, the need to avoid damaging austerity in the upcoming Autumn Statement".

Sunak spoke with Sturgeon on the phone on Oct 25, the day he was formally appointed prime minister by King Charles, and following the call, Sturgeon said in a social media post that she had "expressed hope that we will build a UK/Scot government relationship based on mutual respect — inc for mandates — and my fear that further austerity will do real damage to people& public services".

In contrast to his predecessor Liz Truss, who ignored Sturgeon during her short 44-day stint as British leader, Sunak was expected to say he wants to work "constructively".

According to a report in the Daily Mail newspaper, Sunak would tell Sturgeon that the United Kingdom is facing "huge challenges from global economic headwinds".

He was expected to say "Let's be pragmatic. Let's work together in our shared interests. Let's deliver for all our people across these great islands — and build a future defined not by division but by unity and hope".

Sunak was also due to have a bilateral meeting with Ireland's prime minister, Micheal Martin, ahead of the summit.

The meeting takes place amid efforts to break the deadlock over the Northern Ireland protocol, part of the post-Brexit trade agreement.

There are no politicians in place from the devolved Northern Ireland Assembly to take part in the talks, due to an ongoing dispute over power sharing there. Northern Ireland would be represented by the head of its civil service, Jayne Brady, according to the council. Sunak is expected to say he wants "to see the power sharing executive restored as soon as possible", ITV News reported.

Sunak is the first prime minister to attend the British-Irish summit since Gordon Brown in 2007, reported the BBC.

The council is made up of representatives from the UK and Irish governments, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the governments of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.