David Cameron has insisted Scotland is ”stronger, safer, richer and fairer” as part of the United Kingdom.
Speaking ahead of a major speech on the subject in Edinburgh today, the Prime Minister outlined his ”positive” reasons for keeping Britain together.
”To me, this is not some issue of policy or strategy or calculation,” he said. ”It matters head, heart and soul. Our shared home is under threat and everyone who cares about it needs to speak out.”
Mr Cameron, who is also set for a face-to-face showdown with First Minister Alex Salmond this afternoon, said he would fight ”with everything I have” to preserve the ”really precious” Union.
But, expanding on a point he first made in an exclusive interview with The Courier last month, the Prime Minister indicated he would not question Scotland’s ability to survive as an independent nation.
”Of course, there are arguments that can be made about the volatility of dependence on oil, or the problems of debt and a big banking system,” he said. ”But that’s not the point. The best case for the United Kingdom is entirely positive.
”We are better off together. Why? Well, first of all, let’s be practical. Inside the United Kingdom, Scotland just as much as England, Wales and Northern Ireland is stronger, safer, richer and fairer.”
He went on to cite international influence, economic resilience and domestic security as areas where Scotland benefits from its place in the UK.
He said: ”We’re stronger, because together we count for more in the world, with a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, real clout in Nato and Europe and unique influence with allies all over the world.
”We’re safer, because in an increasingly dangerous world we have the fourth-largest defence budget on the planet, superb armed forces and anti-terrorist and security capabilities that stretch across the globe and are feared by our enemies and admired by our friends.
”We’re richer, because inside the United Kingdom Scotland’s five million people are part of an economy of 60 million, the seventh-richest economy on the planet and one of the world’s biggest trading powers. ”
Mr Salmond told an audience at the London School of Economics on Wednesday that energy reserves would create multi-billion pound wealth for an independent Scotland.
The First Minister said: ”The debate about independence is about looking forward and creating a better future for Scotland. With that future in mind, we still have an opportunity to establish an energy fund to benefit future generations.
”Even just £1 billion a year less than 10% invested over 20 years, would create a fund for Scotland worth almost £30 billion.”
He added that the rest of the UK would have much to gain from the emergence of a ”secure, prosperous ally” to its north.
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