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Scottish independence: Alex Salmond attacks 'Team Westminster' | Scottish independence: Alex Salmond attacks 'Team Westminster' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Scottish first minister has dismissed the efforts of David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to keep Scotland in the UK. | The Scottish first minister has dismissed the efforts of David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg to keep Scotland in the UK. |
Speaking at a pro-independence event in Edinburgh, Alex Salmond described the three politicians as "Team Westminster". | Speaking at a pro-independence event in Edinburgh, Alex Salmond described the three politicians as "Team Westminster". |
And he suggested their primary concern was keeping their own jobs. | And he suggested their primary concern was keeping their own jobs. |
It came as Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Mr Clegg travelled to Scotland ahead of next week's independence referendum, | It came as Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Mr Clegg travelled to Scotland ahead of next week's independence referendum, |
Recent opinion polls have suggested the referendum race is now neck and neck. | Recent opinion polls have suggested the referendum race is now neck and neck. |
Elsewhere on the campaign trail: | Elsewhere on the campaign trail: |
Mr Salmond said: "Today what we have got is an example of Team Scotland against Team Westminster. | Mr Salmond said: "Today what we have got is an example of Team Scotland against Team Westminster. |
"The breadth and reach of the 'Yes' campaign is there for all to see - it is not about the Scottish National Party, the Green Party or political parties. It goes right through the whole sector of Scottish society | "The breadth and reach of the 'Yes' campaign is there for all to see - it is not about the Scottish National Party, the Green Party or political parties. It goes right through the whole sector of Scottish society |
"What we are seeing today on the other side is Team Westminster jetting up to Scotland for the day because they are panicking in the campaign. | "What we are seeing today on the other side is Team Westminster jetting up to Scotland for the day because they are panicking in the campaign. |
"Our campaign for example has the key test on jobs. What we are interested in is having a powerhouse parliament that can create jobs for Scotland. What Team Westminster seem to be concerned about is their own jobs." | "Our campaign for example has the key test on jobs. What we are interested in is having a powerhouse parliament that can create jobs for Scotland. What Team Westminster seem to be concerned about is their own jobs." |
But Mr Salmond again stressed that the "Yes" campaign was not taking anything for granted with just over a week to go until the referendum on 18 September. | But Mr Salmond again stressed that the "Yes" campaign was not taking anything for granted with just over a week to go until the referendum on 18 September. |
The first minister said: "For the last months, and certainly for the last weeks of the campaign proper, we are engaged in a conversation with our fellow citizens. | The first minister said: "For the last months, and certainly for the last weeks of the campaign proper, we are engaged in a conversation with our fellow citizens. |
"We don't make any assumptions about the poll next week, but nonetheless I think the evidence would indicate that more and more of our fellow citizens are becoming convinced by the arguments being put forward by their fellow citizens in the 'Yes' campaign. The movement to Scotland is decisively towards 'Yes'". | "We don't make any assumptions about the poll next week, but nonetheless I think the evidence would indicate that more and more of our fellow citizens are becoming convinced by the arguments being put forward by their fellow citizens in the 'Yes' campaign. The movement to Scotland is decisively towards 'Yes'". |
Better Together head Alistair Darling said the nationalists were being "offensive" and "divisive" by labelling themselves as "Team Scotland" and their opponents as "Team Westminster." | |
He added: "There are many of us in Scotland who are deeply patriotic, but actually take a different view from him, and believe we are better and stronger together as part of the United Kingdom. | |
"We know what he's hinting at here - that somehow people who are not on his side don't deserve to be heard, they're not truly patriotic, truly Scottish. | |
"It's deeply offensive to a number of people in Scotland, it's deeply divisive and it's wholly unnecessary." | |