British Prime Minister David Cameron implored Scots yesterday not to vote for independence in next week’s referendum after an opinion poll showed a surge in support for a break from the United Kingdom.
Cameron pledged to do everything he could to keep the United Kingdom together and said he would head north to Scotland to join the fray.
“In the end, it is for the Scottish people to decide, but I want them to know that the rest of the United Kingdom - and I speak as prime minister - want them to stay.”
Cameron’s move made clear that the break-up of the United Kingdom - previously thought to be a pipedream - was now a distinct possibility. His spokesman said Scotland’s blue and white flag would be flown over Cameron’s London residence in Downing Street on Tuesday.
Nationalist leader Alex Salmond said in Edinburgh that the TNS poll showed the campaign opposing independence had “fallen apart at the seams”.
Britain’s main political parties also scrambled to shore up the 307-year union by pledging more autonomy to Scotland, with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a Scot, making an impassioned appeal to Labour Party supporters in central Scotland in support of staying together.
The latest opinion poll showed the referendum scheduled for Sept. 18 was now “too close to call”, TNS head Tom Costley said.
The number of people saying they would vote “No” to independence dropped to 39 percent, down from 45 percent a month ago. “Yes” support was slightly behind at 38 percent but had made a dramatic surge from 32 percent a month ago.
It followed a YouGov poll in the Sunday Times that put the pro-independence camp slightly ahead for the first time this year, prompting a fall in the pound and British shares that reflected concerns that an independent Scotland would struggle economically.
Money questions
In a renewed blow to nationalist hopes of keeping the pound sterling, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said a currency union between an independent Scotland and the remainder of the United Kingdom would be incompatible with sovereignty.
Britain’s three main political parties have already ruled out a currency union with an independent Scotland, raising questions over what money Scots would use.
A split would also have huge ramifications beyond Scotland’s borders, given Britain’s current status as an economic, diplomatic and military power, a leading NATO and EU country, and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Salmond, who heads the Scottish National Party, the ruling party in Scotland, exulted in the poll news on Tuesday morning.