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Last-ditch campaigning seeks to keep Scotland a part of Britain Last-ditch campaigning seeks to keep Scotland a part of Britain
(about 17 hours later)
LONDON — Maybe it was the ghost of William Wallace. Or maybe it was just the wind or a faulty clasp. Whatever the reason, the raising of the Scottish flag at 10 Downing Street didn’t go quite as planned Tuesday. LONDON — Maybe it was the ghost of William Wallace. Or maybe it was just the wind or a faulty clasp. Whatever the reason, the raising of the Scottish flag at 10 Downing Street didn’t go quite as planned Tuesday.
The event was staged as part of an all-out push by British political leaders to urge Scots to reject independence in a referendum next week. The symbolism was stirring: the blue-and-white Scottish flag rising over the prime minister’s residence — not far from where Wallace, a Scottish independence hero and protagonist of the Academy Award-winning film “Braveheart,” was tortured and beheaded more than seven centuries ago.The event was staged as part of an all-out push by British political leaders to urge Scots to reject independence in a referendum next week. The symbolism was stirring: the blue-and-white Scottish flag rising over the prime minister’s residence — not far from where Wallace, a Scottish independence hero and protagonist of the Academy Award-winning film “Braveheart,” was tortured and beheaded more than seven centuries ago.
But it took some effort — and embarrassment — to get the flag-raising right. On the first attempt to raise the Saltire, it fell back to the roof from which it was being raised after it had traveled about halfway up the staff. The flag was then reattached and hoisted to the top.But it took some effort — and embarrassment — to get the flag-raising right. On the first attempt to raise the Saltire, it fell back to the roof from which it was being raised after it had traveled about halfway up the staff. The flag was then reattached and hoisted to the top.
Much like the flag-raising, little has gone as expected in the fight over Scottish independence.Much like the flag-raising, little has gone as expected in the fight over Scottish independence.
For the past two years, it has been widely assumed that the 307-year-old union between Scotland and England would remain intact after the referendum on Sept. 18.For the past two years, it has been widely assumed that the 307-year-old union between Scotland and England would remain intact after the referendum on 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 suggests that the outcome is too close to call: 39 percent say they will vote “no” to independence (down from 45 percent a month ago) compared with 38 percent for “yes” (up from 32 percent). The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. 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 suggests that the outcome is too close to call: 39 percent say they will vote “no” on independence (down from 45 percent a month ago), compared with 38 percent who say they will vote “yes” (up from 32 percent). The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
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.
On Tuesday, British political parties tried to seize back the momentum by offering Scots a timetable for more power if they reject a breakaway.On Tuesday, British political parties tried to seize back the momentum by offering Scots a timetable for more power if they reject a breakaway.
In what could be their closing offer, a broad political coalition — the Conservative, Labor and Liberal Democrat parties — formed 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.In what could be their closing offer, a broad political coalition — the Conservative, Labor and Liberal Democrat parties — formed 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.
The proposals seek to appeal to wide-ranging sentiment in Scotland — even among many who oppose full independence — that the region should have more power to set policies.The proposals seek to appeal to wide-ranging sentiment in Scotland — even among many who oppose full independence — that the region should have more power to set policies.
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, was not impressed. A “back of the envelope, non-plan” made by panicky politicians, he said.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, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and opposition leader Ed Miliband. They will miss the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament to travel to Scotland for last-minute campaigning.The appeals to Scotland will be carried in person by Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and opposition leader Ed Miliband. 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.“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.“It’s a matter for people in Scotland to decide, but we want you to stay,” he added.
Miliband 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.Miliband 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 be making gains with female voters. Nicola McEwen, a politicalaffairs expert at the Univer­-sity of Edinburgh, said pro-independence factions appeared to be making gains with female voters.
But McEwen also raised concerns about the proposals for more self-governance backed by Cameron and others.But McEwen also raised concerns about the proposals 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 the 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.