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EDINBURGH — British Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday begged Scots not to rip apart the United Kingdom’s “family of nations”, flying to Scotland to man the barricades against a surge in support for independence eight days before a referendum. Cameron appealed to Scots to use their heads and their hearts when they vote on September18. He reminded them of their shared history and bonds with England, Wales and Northern Ireland – twice evoking World War Two and the fight against Hitler.
He also warned that an independent Scotland could not keep the pound currency, jobs would head south, and the country’s security be weakened.
“I would be heartbroken if this family of nations was torn apart,” said Cameron, speaking to staff of the Scottish Widows financial institution in the capital Edinburgh.
Cameron’s visit was a sign of the panic that has gripped the British ruling elite over the possible disintegration of the 307-year-old union since recent polls showed the campaign for independence, led by Alex Salmond’s Scottish National Party, gaining support to run neck-and-neck with the “No” campaign, which until a few weeks ago was looking comfortably ahead.
British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who leads the Liberal Democrats, and opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband also crossed the border on Wednesday to shore up support. All three parties have offered Scotland greater autonomy as an enticement to vote against independence.
The prime minister, whose job may be on the line if he loses Scotland, warned Scots a vote for secession would be forever.
“I think people can feel it is a bit like a general election — that you make a decision and five years later you can make another decision if you are fed up with the effing Tories, give them a kick and then maybe we’ll think again. This is totally different to a general election: this a decision about not the next five years but a decision about the next century,” he said.
Cameron has until now been largely absent from the debate after conceding that his privileged background and centre-right politics mean he is not the best person to win over Scots, who returned just one Conservative lawmaker out of 59 in 2010.
He made no street appearances in his visit to Edinburgh.
“David Cameron is a swear word up here,” said one security guard, asking not to be named.
That comment echoed the sentiment among pro-independence Scots that they are ruled from London by a government they did not choose — a central tenet of the independence drive.
The “Yes” camp says it wants to build a fairer society with Scotland’s interests at the forefront. Opponents of independence say Scotland is stronger and more secure within the United Kingdom, and a separate country would struggle economically.
The ramifications of a split could be immense given the United Kingdom’s position as a G8 economy, a leading member of Nato and the European Union, and permanent member of the UN Security council. US President Barack Obama and other world leaders have said they want Britain to stay together.
Cameron held out the promise of more power for Scotland if Scots voted “No”.
“It really will be the best of both worlds,” he said.
“Scotland is a nation, an incredible nation, strong, proud, with an extraordinary history but also part a family of nations. Please don’t think that the rest of the United Kingdom is indifferent. We care passionately.”
Salmond said the visits were a sign of panic that would only help the secessionist cause. — Reuters.
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