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Last-ditch campaigning to save Great Britain Last-ditch campaigning to save Great Britain
(about 4 hours later)
LONDON — With the vote for Scottish independence on a knife’s edge, British political parties offered Scots a timetable Tuesday for more powers if they reject the breakaway vote next week. LONDON — Maybe it was the ghost of William Wallace. Or maybe it was just the wind or a faulty clasp. But for whatever reason, the raising of the Scottish flag at 10 Downing Street didn’t go quite as planned Tuesday.
In what could be their closing offer, a broad political bloc — Conservatives, Labor and Liberal Democrat parties -- joined together to endorse the plan to give Scotland more autonomy on taxing and fiscal policies under draft legislation that could be presented early next year. The event was staged as part of an all-out push by British political leaders to urge Scots to reject a vote on independence next week. The symbolism was stirring: the blue-and-white Scottish flag rising over the prime minister’s residence — not far from where Scottish independence hero Wallace was tortured and beheaded more than seven centuries ago.
The offer underscores the sense of urgency for leaders trying to keep the United Kingdom from splintering. But it took a bit of effort — and a touch of embarrassment — to get the flag-raising right. In the first attempt to raise the Saltire, it dropped to the ground from about halfway up the staff. The flag was then reattached and hoisted to the top.
Opponents of the Scottish split were startled by a poll last weekend that indicated a surge in support for independence. A new TNS poll published Tuesday suggested the Sept. 18 vote is too close to call: 39 percent say they will vote “no” to independence (down from 45 percent a month ago) compared to 38 percent for “yes” (up from 32 percent.) The margin of error was 3.1 percent. Like much like the flag-raising, nothing has gone as planned in the fight for Scottish independence.
For the last two years of the campaign, it’s been widely assumed that the 307-year-old union between Scotland and England would remain intact following the vote Sept. 18.
But opponents of the Scottish split were startled by a poll last weekend that indicated a surge in support for independence. A new TNS poll published Tuesday suggested the Sept. 18 vote is too close to call: 39 percent say they will vote “no” to independence (down from 45 percent a month ago) compared to 38 percent for “yes” (up from 32 percent.) The margin of error was 3.1 percent.
The poll also found that about 18 percent of those planning to vote haven’t made up their minds.The poll also found that about 18 percent of those planning to vote haven’t made up their minds.
The proposal to offer Scotland more sway over its own affairs seeks to appeal to the wide-ranging sentiment in Scotland — even among many opposing full independence — that the region should have more powers to set policies. On Tuesday, British political parties tried to seize back the momentum by offering Scots a timetable for more powers if they reject the breakaway vote.
The appeals to Scotland also will be carried in person by Prime Minister David Cameron and Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition Labor party. They plan to scrap the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament so they could travel to Scotland for last-minute campaigning. In what could be their closing offer, a broad political bloc — Conservatives, Labor and Liberal Democrat parties — joined together to endorse a plan to give Scotland more autonomy on taxing and fiscal policies under draft legislation that could be ready by the end of January.
Miliband also urged people across the United Kingdom to fly Scotland’s blue-and-white Saltire flag to send a “very clear message” that Britain is “stronger” with Scotland in the union. The proposals seek to appeal to the wide-ranging sentiment in Scotland — even among many opposing full independence — that the region should have more powers to set policies.
On Tuesday, Miliband helped raise the Scottish flag above the main municipal building in Liverpool. Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, was not impressed. A “back of the envelope, non-plan” made by panicky politicians, he said.
The appeals to Scotland will be carried in person by Prime Minister David Cameron and opposition leaders Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg. They will miss the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament to travel to Scotland for last-minute campaigning.
“Let’s be frank, there’s a lot that the political leaders disagree about, but there’s one thing that we all agree about passionately, and that is that our United Kingdom is better off if we stay together,’’ Cameron told the BBC.
“It’s a matter for people in Scotland to decide, but we want you to stay,” he added.
Miliband also urged people across the United Kingdom to fly the Scottish flag to send a “very clear message” that Britain is “stronger” with Scotland in the union.
Nicola McEwen, a political affairs expert at the University of Edinburgh, said pro-independence factions appeared to making gains with women voters.Nicola McEwen, a political affairs expert at the University of Edinburgh, said pro-independence factions appeared to making gains with women voters.
But McEwen raised concerns about the package for more self-governance offered by Cameron and others. But McEwen raised concerns about the package for more self-governance backed by Cameron and others.
“I’m deeply concerned about the haste at which they are talking about putting together legislation on proposals that are really untested and unscrutinized. I keep thinking of phrase, ‘legislate in haste, repent at leisure,’” she said. “I’m deeply concerned about the haste at which they are talking about putting together legislation on proposals that are really untested and unscrutinized. I keep thinking of the phrase, ‘legislate in haste, repent at leisure,’” she said.