David Mundell said he could guarantee it would “not be business as usual” after he was confirmed as the new Scottish secretary yesterday.
Prime Minister David Cameron appointed the only Conservative MP north of the border to the post, replacing Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael.
Mr Mundell served as Scotland Office minister in the last parliament and was re-elected as MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale last week.
The SNP’s landslide victory at the election means he will have to defend the Tory majority government from accusations it has no legitimacy north of the border, and oversee the delivery of the Smith Commission proposals and any further new powers to Holyrood.
Ian Murray, Labour’s only Scottish MP, has been appointed shadow Scottish secretary.
Speaking to journalists outside 10 Downing Street after his meeting with the prime minister, Mr Mundell said: “We have had a discussion about how we are going to shape the Scotland Office going forward. I can give the absolute guarantee it will not be business as usual.
“We will ensure that the UK Government in Scotland is effectively represented, that we take forward the Smith Commission proposals which will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion on the future of Scotland and that is a debate and discussion in which I’m sure that all Scotland’s MPs will be playing a full part.”
Asked if his government was open to new ideas on top of the Smith Commission, he said: “In parliament when the Smith Commission proposals are put forward they will provide an opportunity for debate and discussion and I’m sure that MPs across the House and particular from Scotland will want to play a part in that.
“The government have I think a very radical set of proposals to bring new powers to Scotland and obviously my priority will be delivering them.”
SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “The days of business as usual are over, so it is a pity that David Cameron did not take the opportunity to scrap the post-devolution anomaly that is the Scotland Office, and invest the £7million that is spent on it on public services instead.
“David Mundell is the sole representative of a party that was rejected by Scotland in record numbers. It is vital that he respects the mandate of the people of Scotland, expressed so decisively last Thursday.”
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “At a momentous time in our politics we need calm and experienced leadership, and that is exactly what David will bring to this post.”