Scottish Anti-Independence Campaign Begins to Divide and Falter

Divisions are again beginning to emerge in the anti-independence ‘No‘ vote campaign. The pro-union supporters have long been criticised for their very negative campaign stance. Comprising of Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and others who oppose independance the ‘Better Together‘ ‘No‘ grouping have been seen as over concentrating their efforts on adopting scaremongering tactics rather than constructive arguements in favour of keeping Scotland within the United kingdom.

Amidst signs of increasing panic about a ‘Yes‘ outcome to the referendum on Scottish independance attempts to try adopt a more positive campaign by the No campaigner’s has exposed divisions within their ranks. The latest being when former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, made a speech saying that a post No vote would see Scotland’s devolved position strengthen if it stayed in the UK. This has now been contradicted by his fellow Labour MP Thomas Docherty, who has said that  "I don't believe there is any support at Westminster for Scotland unilaterally getting further devolution without changes to the current constitutional and financial agreements.  The choice in September is between separation and the settled system of devolution."

These contradictory statements come at a time when the No campaigners attempts to say that Scotland would not be able to keep the Pound currency after independance also start to unravel. The UK Treasury has announced that its intention is to underwrite all of the UK's debt mountain which currently stands at 1.4 trillion pounds. Some time ago the Scottish Government's Fiscal Commission had already stated that all debt accrued by successive UK governments has been done so under the title of the UK Government. This is significant in that in the event of a Yes to independance vote the UK and Scottish Government would have to hold bilateral negotions because the UK would be powerless to compel Scotland to take on some of the debt.

However, the Scottish Government is ready to recognise it’s obligations in servicing this debt with Alex Salmond making it clear Scotland will shoulder a fair share of the burden. Any negotiations on debt, will, of course, include the necessity for a currency agreement between Holyrood and Westminster. The sensible and pragmatic outcome being that Scotland, after all, will keep the Pound.