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Scottish independence: Leaders focus on social justice Scottish independence: Miliband accuses SNP of 'con'
(about 9 hours later)
Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond are to set out contrasting visions of social justice while campaigning in Scotland. Ed Miliband has accused the SNP of attempting to "con" Scottish voters into believing independence was the only way to achieve social justice.
The Labour leader will say his party would "build a fairer country" while independence would mean "an end to the social justice of the United Kingdom". The Labour leader described the Conservatives as "divided and demoralised" and predicted a Labour government "is on its way".
The first minister will set out a vision of a Scotland "where opportunities are for the many not the few". He also claimed the SNP would continue Tory policies after independence.
Both leaders will be campaigning with two weeks to go until the referendum. Mr Miliband was speaking as First Minister Alex Salmond set out his own vision of a fairer Scotland.
Mr Miliband will join Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont to campaign in South Lanarkshire. With just two weeks to go until the referendum on Scottish independence, and with polls suggesting the race is tightening, both sides have been making a concerted effort to win over undecided Labour voters, who are believed to be one of the keys to victory.
'Fairer country' In an interview with BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor, Mr Miliband said the SNP had a "strange strategy" in the referendum campaign.
He is expected to describe the referendum as a choice of "the change we need to build a fairer country with Labour, or the change of erecting a new border which is the only ambition of nationalists". He added: "They want to tell people the Tories can't be beaten across the UK. I am here to say they can.
He will argue Labour can win the next UK general election in 2015, adding: "We will abolish the bedroom tax. Abolish it in Dundee, in Glasgow, but also in Carlisle, Newcastle and Nottingham. 'Social justice'
"Because if you care about social justice you care about the poor, the disabled, the vulnerable wherever they happen to live. "I want a fairer, more equal country. I know so many people in Scotland feel the country is not working for them and they will be wondering should they be voting 'No' in the referendum or should they be voting 'Yes'.
"What is the SNP plan? A 3p cut in corporation tax. Low taxes for the richest with no return to the 50p rate. "My strong message is to vote 'No' in the referendum because a Labour government is on the way, a Labour government with genuine proposals for social justice."
"No energy price freeze. And an end to the social justice of the United Kingdom. Mr Miliband said Labour was committed to a fairer tax system, with a new 10p rate and a higher 50p rate, as well as freezing energy bills, raising the national minimum wage, getting young people into work and increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
"Because companies will be competing across borders seeking to push down wage rates and tax rates and make your terms and conditions worse." He argued that the SNP, on the other hand, would have to cut corporation tax and public spending after independence, while failing to match Labour commitments on the 50p tax rate or energy price freeze.
He added: "Frankly it is an SNP con. They are going to continue Tory policies if they have independence, that is their real prospectus.
"If you want social justice you vote 'No' and we are going to elect a Labour government."
Mr Miliband later joined Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont to campaign in South Lanarkshire.
At the same time, Mr Salmond joined Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a campaign visit to Glasgow to mark his 10 years as SNP leader, and to set out a vision of an independent Scotland 10 years from now.
'Secure economy''Secure economy'
Mr Salmond is to join Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on a campaign visit to Glasgow to mark 10 years since he became SNP leader and set out a vision of an independent Scotland 10 years from now. The first minister said the vision for 2024 was of an independent Scotland "where everyone has the chance to get on in life and where opportunities are for the many not the few".
Speaking ahead of the visit, the first minister said: "The 2024 Yes vision is of a society where everyone has the chance to get on in life and where opportunities are for the many not the few. Responding directly to Mr Miliband's remarks, Mr Salmond accused the Labour leader of being "in bed with the Tory party" and said more than 200,000 Labour voters were planning to vote in favour of independence.
"In an independent Scotland we'll always get the governments people vote for. He added: "In this campaign, Ed Miliband and David Cameron are two peas in a pod. And of course the Labour Party have pledged to continue the austerity policies of the Conservative Party.
"We'll be able to protect our NHS from the impact of Westminster privatisation and cuts and we'll have the job-creating powers of independence to build a more secure economy. "He has no credibility left whatsoever. In contrast, we've introduced social justice policies in Scotland like, for example, the living wage."
"With a 'No' vote by 2024 tax-payers in Scotland will be paying towards the £4bn annual costs of a new generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde." "These are the policies that Scotland wants because Scotland wants the ability to create a more prosperous economy but also a just and fair society. That's what people are voting for in hundreds of thousands, they're moving to the Yes campaign, including 200,000 people plus who normally vote Labour who are now saying 'Yes'."
He added: "We can use the powers of independence to transform childcare, and review Westminster's decision to make everyone work until 67 before drawing a state pension - regardless of Scotland's circumstances." On 18 September, voters in Scotland vote "Yes" or "No" to the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
On 18 September Scots will vote "Yes" or "No" to the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"