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| Cameron Tells Scotland ‘There Will Be No Going Back’ | Cameron Tells Scotland ‘There Will Be No Going Back’ |
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| GLASGOW — As Britain’s political leaders embarked on a last-minute foray to Scotland on Wednesday before a referendum on independence next week, Prime Minister David Cameron coupled an impassioned appeal for Scots to remain part of the United Kingdom with a warning that “there will be no going back” if they vote to leave. | GLASGOW — As Britain’s political leaders embarked on a last-minute foray to Scotland on Wednesday before a referendum on independence next week, Prime Minister David Cameron coupled an impassioned appeal for Scots to remain part of the United Kingdom with a warning that “there will be no going back” if they vote to leave. |
| “The United Kingdom is a precious and special country,” Mr. Cameron wrote in the conservative newspaper Daily Mail. “That is what is at stake. So let no one in Scotland be in any doubt: we desperately want you to stay; we do not want this family of nations to be ripped apart.” | “The United Kingdom is a precious and special country,” Mr. Cameron wrote in the conservative newspaper Daily Mail. “That is what is at stake. So let no one in Scotland be in any doubt: we desperately want you to stay; we do not want this family of nations to be ripped apart.” |
| The tone of his words reflected what critics of Britain’s London-based political elite called a panicked reaction to opinion surveys showing that the Yes campaign spearheaded by the pro-independence Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, may have nudged ahead or is at least tied with the No vote. | The tone of his words reflected what critics of Britain’s London-based political elite called a panicked reaction to opinion surveys showing that the Yes campaign spearheaded by the pro-independence Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, may have nudged ahead or is at least tied with the No vote. |
| Scotland already has its own Parliament and an array of powers created by the previous Labour government’s policies of devolution. But Mr. Salmond is pressing for Scottish voters, a minority within the broader United Kingdom, to endorse his call for independence as a new state when they vote on Sept. 18 — the most dramatic constitutional rearrangement in Britain since union with Scotland 307 years ago. | Scotland already has its own Parliament and an array of powers created by the previous Labour government’s policies of devolution. But Mr. Salmond is pressing for Scottish voters, a minority within the broader United Kingdom, to endorse his call for independence as a new state when they vote on Sept. 18 — the most dramatic constitutional rearrangement in Britain since union with Scotland 307 years ago. |
| “As the people of Scotland put pen to ballot paper next week, you will be writing the UK’s future in indelible ink. It’s a momentous decision: there will be no going back,” Mr. Cameron wrote. His words were echoed in a separate interview on the BBC on Wednesday by the former Conservative prime minister John Major, who said the outcome of the vote would be “forever.” | “As the people of Scotland put pen to ballot paper next week, you will be writing the UK’s future in indelible ink. It’s a momentous decision: there will be no going back,” Mr. Cameron wrote. His words were echoed in a separate interview on the BBC on Wednesday by the former Conservative prime minister John Major, who said the outcome of the vote would be “forever.” |
| Mr. Cameron’s article appeared as he prepared to travel to Scotland. The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Ed Miliband, and the deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, head of the Liberal Democrats, also planned to make the journey to Scotland on Wednesday. But such are the distinctions between them that the three politicians will not appear on a common platform. | |
| “There is a lot that divides us, but there’s one thing on which we agree passionately: the United Kingdom is better together,” Mr. Cameron wrote. “At this crucial moment, we want to be listening and talking to voters about the huge choices they face. Our message to the Scottish people will be simple: ‘We want you to stay.’ ” | “There is a lot that divides us, but there’s one thing on which we agree passionately: the United Kingdom is better together,” Mr. Cameron wrote. “At this crucial moment, we want to be listening and talking to voters about the huge choices they face. Our message to the Scottish people will be simple: ‘We want you to stay.’ ” |
| Evoking centuries of shared history in a “group of small islands in the North Atlantic that have punched above our weight for centuries,” Mr. Cameron cited shared battles against slavery and fascism among the bonds tying Scotland to the United Kingdom. | |
| “A hundred years ago, our boys went off to war together — and they did so as comrades, united by purpose and hope for a better world,” Mr. Cameron said. “As individuals and as nations, we have done extraordinary things. This is the special alchemy of the UK — you mix together Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and together we smash expectations.” | “A hundred years ago, our boys went off to war together — and they did so as comrades, united by purpose and hope for a better world,” Mr. Cameron said. “As individuals and as nations, we have done extraordinary things. This is the special alchemy of the UK — you mix together Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and together we smash expectations.” |
| He also repeated an offer to grant Scotland further powers related to taxes, spending and welfare if voters choose to remain in the United Kingdom. And he assailed Mr. Salmond’s campaign for what he called a lack of clarity on such critical issues as the currency to be used by an independent Scotland. | He also repeated an offer to grant Scotland further powers related to taxes, spending and welfare if voters choose to remain in the United Kingdom. And he assailed Mr. Salmond’s campaign for what he called a lack of clarity on such critical issues as the currency to be used by an independent Scotland. |
| “So the choice for you is clear: a leap into the dark with a Yes vote, or a brighter future for Scotland by voting No,” Mr. Cameron said. “You can have the best of both worlds in the UK. You can have more powers in Scotland. And you can be part of a United Kingdom — standing tall, forging a more secure future in this world, building more opportunities for our children and grandchildren and the generations yet to be born. That is the next chapter in our history; we can write it together — but only if Scotland votes No next week.” | “So the choice for you is clear: a leap into the dark with a Yes vote, or a brighter future for Scotland by voting No,” Mr. Cameron said. “You can have the best of both worlds in the UK. You can have more powers in Scotland. And you can be part of a United Kingdom — standing tall, forging a more secure future in this world, building more opportunities for our children and grandchildren and the generations yet to be born. That is the next chapter in our history; we can write it together — but only if Scotland votes No next week.” |