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Scottish independence: Cameron 'a hindrance' to 'No' campaign, says Prescott | Scottish independence: Cameron 'a hindrance' to 'No' campaign, says Prescott |
(35 minutes later) | |
David Cameron's visit to Scotland is probably a hindrance rather than a help to the "No" campaign, former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott has said. | |
There were ill tempered scenes between "Yes" and "No" supporters while Lord Prescott was campaigning in Rutherglen. | There were ill tempered scenes between "Yes" and "No" supporters while Lord Prescott was campaigning in Rutherglen. |
Better Together leader Alistair Darling had to be escorted to a taxi by police as he left the scene. | |
Mr Cameron made an impassioned plea to keep Scotland in the Union, while Alex Salmond accused him of "panicking". | Mr Cameron made an impassioned plea to keep Scotland in the Union, while Alex Salmond accused him of "panicking". |
Labour peer Lord Prescott said of the Conservative prime minister: "If he can get rid of the Scots in the Westminster Parliament, he will have an English parliament representing 53 million people against - if you go for separation - five million Scots. | |
"Do you think they are going to be favourable towards you? No." | "Do you think they are going to be favourable towards you? No." |
He added: "We in the northern areas and the English regions look to your support to make sure we are able to deal with a massive Tory vote." | He added: "We in the northern areas and the English regions look to your support to make sure we are able to deal with a massive Tory vote." |
'One team' | |
Lord Prescott also suggested a combined England and Scotland football team. | |
"Perhaps if England and Scotland together had one team, we could at last beat the Germans - who knows?" he said. | |
Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Lord Prescott, who was deputy prime minister under Tony Blair, said he thought Mr Cameron's visit to Edinburgh was probably a "hindrance" to the "No" campaign. | Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Lord Prescott, who was deputy prime minister under Tony Blair, said he thought Mr Cameron's visit to Edinburgh was probably a "hindrance" to the "No" campaign. |
In an article for the Daily Mirror, Lord Prescott wrote: "We've got the Bullingdon Boys on the run down south but we need your help to finish the job. If you leave, we'll have to stand alone. | In an article for the Daily Mirror, Lord Prescott wrote: "We've got the Bullingdon Boys on the run down south but we need your help to finish the job. If you leave, we'll have to stand alone. |
"So stick with us in this fight and we'll both kick them in the ballots at the general election. United we stand. Divided we both fail. | "So stick with us in this fight and we'll both kick them in the ballots at the general election. United we stand. Divided we both fail. |
"Please don't walk away from the fight. Britain needs you now more than ever." | "Please don't walk away from the fight. Britain needs you now more than ever." |
'Disconnected' | |
Former Scotland international Michael Stewart, of the pro-independence group Sport for Yes, said: "These comments from John Prescott are off-the-ball and highlight how out of touch Westminster politicians are about what is happening here. | |
"By wheeling out people like Lord Prescott, the 'No' campaign is showing how desperate it has become. | |
"I think the average Scottish football fan will hear this and see how totally disconnected the 'No' campaign is from mainstream Scottish opinion. | |
"On the one hand Lord Prescott says he wants to give us more powers, and on the other he suggests taking away our football team." | |
Mr Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg are all campaigning in Scotland for a "No" vote in the 18 September referendum on independence. | Mr Cameron, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg are all campaigning in Scotland for a "No" vote in the 18 September referendum on independence. |
The prime minister told an audience: "I care far more about my country than I do about my party," | The prime minister told an audience: "I care far more about my country than I do about my party," |
Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond described the leaders' visits as "Team Westminster jetting up to Scotland for the day because they are panicking in the campaign". | |
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