Theresa May has pledged to block another independence referendum “until the Brexit process has played out”.
But she also opened the door to a re-run of the 2014 vote beyond that by suggesting it could take place with “public consent”.
The Conservative leader’s manifesto includes her mantra that “now is not the time” for indyref2, which she has repeatedly said in response to Nicola Sturgeon’s Holyrood-backed demand for one in 2018/19.
Mrs May spoke of the “precious Union” as her manifesto criticised those seeking to “disrupt” EU negotiations with “calls for a divisive referendum that the people of Scotland do not want”.
“In order for a referendum to be fair, legal and decisive, it cannot take place until the Brexit process has played out and it should not take place unless there is public take consent for it to happen,” the manifesto states.
“This is a time to pull together, not apart.”
The negotiation process for leaving the EU is expected to conclude in March 2019, but the wording of the manifesto appears to rule out another referendum for much longer than that.
Senior Conservatives have already said there must not be another plebiscite until Scots have been given the chance see how Brexit works out.
The Tory manifesto, which was launched in West Yorkshire on Thursday, also ends the “triple lock” protection for pensioner incomes, which is downgraded to a less generous double lock.
A commitment to balance the UK’s books has been put back again, this time to 2025, while the party also vows to cut net migration to the 10s of thousands, a pledge it has previously failed to deliver on.
Speaking at the manifesto launch, Mrs May said: “We must take this opportunity to build a great meritocracy in Britain.
“It means making Britain a country that works, not for the privileged few, but for everyone.”
Her pledges including “delivering further powers” for the Scottish Parliament as the UK leaves the EU.
On Brexit, the manifesto confirms the Conservative position that no deal is better than a bad deal, the UK Parliament will vote on the final deal and they will pursue a fair settlement for the divorce bill.
David Cameron’s promise not to raise income tax or National Insurance has been ditched, paving the way for rises.
But Mrs May has ruled out a VAT increase and a corporation tax fall remains Tory policy.
Personal tax allowance is to be increased to £12,500 while higher tax rate threshold increased to £50,000 by 2020, although almost all control over income tax is devolved to Holyrood.
Increases to health, education and social care spending – areas which are also devolved – will provide a funding boost to Scotland because of the Barnett Formula.
There is a commitment to “support the development of a world-leading decommissioning industry”, with Dundee in a strong position to take advantage of the reduced need for oil and gas platforms.
Amid bank branch closures in areas including Fife, the Tories have also pledged to work towards having more banking services stationed in Post Offices.
South of the border, the manifesto reduces the availability of free school meals for pupils and makes those who are better off pay more towards social care.
It also introduces means-testing for winter fuel payments.
Angus Robertson, the SNP’s depute leader, described the manifesto as a “cruel and callous attack on families”.
“We know the devastating reality of seven years of Tory government – working families hammered by cuts to tax credits, low income families forced to rely on foodbanks, and disgraceful Tory policies like the bedroom tax, the rape clause, and the cuts to disabled mobility support.
“Now the Tories are hitting pensioners by effectively cutting their pensions and restricting the Winter Fuel Payment, and they are squeezing family budgets with their continued assault on welfare and their cuts to free school meals.
“The SNP already protect free personal care, free childcare, free school meals, and will stand up against these callous Tory cuts.”
Scottish Labour’s James Kelly said the Tories should apologise “for the mess they have made of our country”.
“The Tories’ ideological obsession with a hard Brexit allowed the SNP to kick-start its campaign to divide Scotland again with a second independence referendum,” he said.
“This Tory manifesto means every Conservative candidate in Scotland is standing on a platform endorsing the abhorrent rape clause, the bedroom tax and swingeing cuts to social security payments.”
