Nick Clegg arrives in Scottish Borders promising 'exciting chapter'

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/10/nick-clegg-scottish-borders-no-vote

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Nick Clegg swept into the Scottish Borders today promising that an "exciting chapter" of de-centralisation not just for Scotland but England and the rest of the UK would be ushered in by a no vote.

"Whatever the result on the 18th – even if Scotland votes to remain part of the United Kingdom – the status quo is gone not only for Scotland but the whole of the United Kingdom," said the deputy prime minster, who stayed for less than an hour in the town of Selkirk, a Borders town where William Wallace was declared guardian of the Kingdom of Scotland as he waged war on the English from a nearby hideout.

Directly appealing to Scots to vote no and stay in the UK, he said: "We have done extraordinary things together – Team GB competed together, we defeated fascism together, we created the NHS."

While dozens of Liberal Democrat supporters were on hand to welcome Clegg to the town, the tensions of the referendum battle were visible as around 30 pro-independence supporters with "Yes" placards turned up to barrack him, jostling with Liberal Democrat and no activists.

Although the Lib Dems remain strong in the town – co-founder David Steel resides nearby but was not there during the visit – the yes campaign has pressed its case. Pro-independence posters appeared almost as common as no posters throughout the town while Liberal Democrat media handlers were quick to make sure that Clegg didn't stop in front of a betting shop with a poster offering odds of 7/4 on a yes against 2/5 for no.

Clegg, who also visited a local energy firm in the company of the secretary of state for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael, and local MP Michael Moore, rejected suggestions that he had not spent enough time in Scotland in the past despite being responsible for a sizeable constitutional reform brief in cabinet.

He said: "In my view we want to be entering not only into a very exciting chapter of devolution of power to Scotland but also to be entering into a very exciting chapter of decentralistion and devolution throughout the rest of the United Kingdom including England as well – so this is a momentous event which will affect every one north and south of the border forever."

Asked if there was room for compromise between the three main Westminster parties on the extent of devolution of powers to Scotland in the event of a no vote, he said they would compare their blueprints but added: "It's not simply going to be a question of the three parties creating some tablet of stone saying: 'there you go, this is it, take it or leave it'.

"We also need – and this is built into the plans that Gordon brown announced – a very important phase where civil society and NGOs, towns, churches and employers also get a say."

Clegg rejected the allegation from the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, that Clegg, David Cameron and Ed Miliband were a "Westminster elite" suddenly parachuting into Scotland.

"Alex Salmond is very good at sneering but at the end of the day if political leaders were not here then quite rightly people would be asking why on earth we were not putting our case."

A near constant cacophony of criticism was kept up around Clegg by yes activists as the deputy prime minister spoke to the media and supporters.

Rhuaridh MacLeod, carrying a "Yes" placard, said: "I just want Scotland to be Scotland because they are trying to privatise the NHS and a lot of stuff like that.

"What do I think of Nick Clegg? A puppet. I think he's a puppet. I think he is only here basically to scaremonger."

However, local resident and no voter Maurice Manson welcomed the deputy PM, saying: "People like Nick Clegg are in a no-win situation. If they come they are wrong. If they don't come they are wrong.

"We have got to save the union and there are so many unanswered questions from the yes side that will not be answered until we make the decision."

Asked how close he believed the referendum race was in Selkirk, he replied: "I would think it's like anywhere else – it's a pretty even split."