Boris Johnson has called for a renewal of “the ties that bind our United Kingdom” ahead of his visit to Scotland.
The new Prime Minister will use his first visit north of the border to announce a £300 million funding pot for communities in the devolved nations.
Ahead of the visit here are 5 things we could learn from his trip to Scotland.
The PM's relationship with Ruth Davidson
Boris Johnson has taken the title of Minister for the Union alongside that of Prime Minister – a move described by a spokesman as a statement of his commitment to strengthening the Union.
However, said ties could be about to become even more stretched when looking at the relationship between Westminster and the Scottish branch of the Conservative party.
Speaking ahead of his visit to a military base 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."
Ruth Davidson has said she will not support leaving the EU without a deal saying that she is free to act “independently of government”, and does not have to sign up to Downing Street policy.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson pledges to strengthen Union as he prepares for clash with Ruth Davidson
The Prime Minister is expected to hold talks in Edinburgh with the Scottish Tory leader and the nature of those talks could set the tone for Johnson's future dealings with Scotland and even his confidence in his majority in the House of Commons.
More details of the Growth Deal - and the fallout
Boris Johnson will use his first visit to Scotland to announce a £300 million funding pot for communities in the devolved nations. Under the latest plan the funding will go towards deals in Falkirk, the Islands and Argyll and Bute in Scotland – as well as Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West Northern Ireland, and Mid Wales.
The news was hailed by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack who stated: “It’s really great news that the Prime Minister is committed to ensuring that every part of Scotland benefits from UK Government Growth Deals."
However, according to critics the deals had already been discussed and contained nothing new with Scotland’s finance secretary, SNP MSP Derek Mackay, saying: “There is nothing new in this announcement of deals which are already under discussion and £300m for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland falls far short of what is required, when the UK Government is already lagging behind the Scottish Government’s funding of City and Growth deals by around £400 million."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also said the announcement was nothing more than a stunt saying: “After years of callous Tory cuts to public spending, this offer contains nothing new and seems to be little more than a political stunt from the new Prime Minister.”
Location location location, or lack of?
In the build-up to a Prime Ministerial visit, there is the usual amount of fanfare that one can expect with the location revealed and a schedule released showing the itinerary for the visit. This time has been somewhat different however with a lack of information about where Boris will be visiting, with Faslane thought to be one location during his Scotland tour.
While much of this is understandable due to security measures, it could be argued that the Prime Minister could be expecting a rather frosty welcome from many and keeping his location under wraps may be a deliberate ploy from his chiefs.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson ramps up planning for no-deal Brexit
Farming
There are a number of industries that could be affected by Brexit with the motoring industry already losing a number of manufacturing jobs for example. However, with farming being one of the main industries in Scotland, the Prime Minister may offer an update on what could be expected in the event of a no-deal Brexit or what he will be doing for farmers in negotiations in Europe. Number 10 has confirmed that the Prime Minister is planning a trip to meet farmers in Wales, so an update could be given today.
Protests/ national opinion
Polls have been carried out suggesting that Boris Johnson as Prime Minister will lead to a surge of support for independence, especially when coupled with a no-deal Brexit. However, polls offer a snippet into the national psyche but with protests expected and a number of politicians already speaking out ahead of the visit, we could get a true insight into Scotland's opinion of Boris.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said she is reviewing the timetable for a possible second vote on Scottish independence with Mr Johnson being branded the “last prime minister of the UK” by the SNP.
Ms Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, have told the PM it would be “unconscionable” for the UK to leave the EU without a deal. Furthermore, a number of protests have already been arranged ahead of the visit.
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