Alister Jack will today (Sunday) urge the Scottish Government to respect the devolution settlement and work constructively with the UK Government.
In his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, the Secretary of State for Scotland will say devolution works best when Scotland’s two governments work together.
He will underline his determination to defend the devolution settlement against Nationalist attempts to undermine it.
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack will say: “My view of devolution is straightforward: It is about Scotland’s two governments, at Westminster and Holyrood, respecting each other’s roles and working together where we can.
“We know that is how devolution works best and we know it is what the vast majority of Scots want and expect.
“Unfortunately, my view is not shared by the Nationalists.
“Time and again they have sought to undermine the devolution settlement in order to provoke unnecessary disagreement between the two governments.
“When they took Nicola Sturgeon’s Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court, they wasted taxpayers’ money confirming what everyone knew already: the constitution and the Union are matters reserved to Westminster.
“When they tried to introduce a new system of self-ID for trans people – their Gender Recognition Reform Bill – they ignored the harmful impact on safeguards for women and girls in existing reserved legislation.
“And when they tried to bring in a bottle Deposit Return Scheme, they failed to consider the plan’s effect on cross-border trade.
“In each case I felt it was my duty as Secretary of State for Scotland to step in.
“I will not stand by and allow Nationalist ministers to undermine or abuse the devolution settlement for their own political ends. Not now, not ever.”