Heavyweight backing for independent Scotland in EU

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has today welcomed the comments of a former president of the European Parliament endorsing the Scottish Government’s position on an independent Scotland’s continued membership of the European Union. Former president Pat Cox said the argument that Scotland would have to go to the back of “an enlargement queue” does not bear analysis. Mr Salmond said a Yes vote will be the biggest ever boost to Scotland’s European and international profile, bringing major economic and jobs benefits.

Commenting Mr Salmond said: "This is a significant intervention that reinforces the common-sense position that in the event of a Yes vote, Scotland’s continued membership of the EU is in the interests of both Scotland and the rest of the European Union. \The No campaign is in meltdown with nothing to offer now that its scare stories are being demolished one by one. More and more people are moving to Yes as they find out about the opportunities of an independent Scotland and scrutinise both the Yes and No case."

“Pat Cox makes it clear that it is no one’s interests to seek to remove Scotland from the European Union and that the route proposed by the Scottish Government for continued membership comes at no cost to the EU’s internal market, common policies or citizen’s rights. At a time when Scotland’s European future is being placed in jeopardy by a Westminster elite obsessed by UKIP it is becoming ever clearer that Scotland’s European policy is best decided by people in Scotland. An independent Scotland will be an enthusiastic member of the EU in line with our long-held international and outward-looking focus and values. We’ll be able to argue directly for Scotland’s interests and win a better deal for our farmers, fishermen and others."

"A Yes vote will also mean greater opportunities for people in Scotland from the much greater international presence that will come with a Yes vote. We can expect a much bigger diplomatic presence here in Scotland, with major benefits for jobs and the local economy as well as transforming Edinburgh into a full international capital. And an independent Scotland will have 70-90 overseas offices dedicated to boosting Scottish exports, trade and cultural links. A 50 per cent increase in exports could lead to an extra 100,000 jobs in Scotland over the long-term.

Concluding Mr Salmond said: "Independence is not a magic wand but it will give us the ability to tailor economic policy to Scotland’s needs, helped by the massive international profile boost of becoming an independent country."

Sturgeon: "Yes has the momentum - but we must keep our eyes on the prize"

As polls today show a Yes vote is closer than ever, the SNP has pointed to findings showing a majority believe the referendum is "something we can be proud of." As a You Gov poll for the Sunday Times records the best result for Yes so far in the campaign at 51 per cent excluding don’t knows, Yes Scotland has published findings from a Panelbase poll which find an overwhelming majority of people in Scotland believe the referendum is something to be proud of – by 69 per cent to 15 per cent.

Support for independence among women is now virtually at the same level as support among men. The Panelbase poll found 47 per cent of women are voting Yes, while a Mumsnet poll of 1,000 women published today found support for Yes at 48 per cent amongst those planning to vote. Trust in the Yes campaign’s leading figures is also higher, with Mumsnet finding trust in Alex Salmond at 41 per cent - almost ten points higher than trust in Alistair Darling. The YouGov poll also found people trust the leaders of the Yes campaign more than all leaders of the No campaign.

Commenting on the developments, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "This breakthrough poll shows support for Yes is growing across the country as more and more people wake up to the opportunity independence offers Scotland to build a fairer, more prosperous society. People on all sides agree that the referendum campaign has been overwhelmingly positive – energising political debate in Scotland and filling halls up and down the country as people gather to get the information they need to make up their mind."

"It is therefore extremely welcome that a majority of people believe we can be proud of the referendum – with 69 per cent of those polled by Panelbase agreeing this is the case, compared to just 15 per cent who disagree. It is also incredibly encouraging to see that more and more women are taking the decision to vote Yes – with the Mumsnet poll and Panelbase findings both finding support for independence among women at virtually the same level as men."

"Yes has the momentum – but there is work to do and we must ensure that between now and the 18 September we keep our eyes firmly on the prize and do all we can to make the case for Yes to as many people as possible across the country. Scotland is among the wealthiest countries in the world - but not enough people feel the benefits of that wealth. A Yes vote is our one opportunity to take Scotland’s future into Scotland’s hands – and the No campaign’s panicked, piecemeal offers of further powers fall far short of what is needed.”

Joining the EU could take a separate Scotland 6 years

A high-placed EU source has said that a separate Scotland could have to wait at least six years before getting back into the EU. The remarks contradict claims from Alex Salmond that a separate Scotland could negotiate membership from within the EU in just 18 months. This follows the intervention of another former senior European Commissioner who said that a separate Scotland using the pound without a formal currency union isn't compatible with EU membership.

The senior European Commission official told the Observer “there will be a significant wait for at least five to six years. For many Catalans, for example, it is this delay and the disruption to business that is in their mind when they consider independence.” Last week a former senior European Commissioner has said that a separate Scotland using the pound without a formal currency union means we wouldn’t get into the EU.

Olli Rehn, the former European Commissioner for Enlargement and former European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, said: “As to the question whether 'sterlingisation' were compatible with EU membership, the answer is that this would simply not be possible, since that would obviously imply a situation where the candidate country concerned would not have a monetary authority of its own and thus no necessary instruments of the EMU.”

Better Together have said that the disruption caused by being out of the EU for up to six years is a risk we don’t have to take.

Commenting Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander MP said: "There is no doubt that if we leave the UK then we would need to reapply to join the EU. A vote for separation would mean Scotland standing outside our two biggest markets – the UK and the EU. That would put the jobs of so many Scots at risk. That’s the wrong choice for Scotland. It is a risk we simply don't have to take. There is a better future for Scotland, which offers us the best of both worlds. We can have more powers for Scotland, backed up by the strength, security and stability of both the UK and the EU. We should say no thanks to putting that at risk on 18 September."

No camp in "meltdown" as border scares disowned

The No campaign has gone into "complete meltdown" after an Ed Miliband threat to build border posts with an independent Scotland provoked a spectacular backlash - prompting the Labour press office to try and disown the interview. 

After Mr Miliband’s comments, made in a Mail on Sunday interview, came to light late last night, the Labour press office immediately disowned the comments and tried to blame the newspaper, tweeting: “Ridiculous splash in Mail on Sunday. There is no Labour 'plan' for border guards in independent Scotland and nor does Ed say that. Rather than establishing borders, Ed is focused on keeping the UK together”

However Mr Miliband was quite clear that “If you don’t want borders, vote to stay in the United Kingdom” - and asked to clarify if this meant border guards and passport checks, he said “it would have to be looked at” This is further underlined by Mr Miliband’s spokesman, who said: “The last time I looked there were two sides to the Border - and we would be in charge of one of them. It would be up to us, not Mr Salmond, to secure our northern border.” Most damagingly for Labour, the border post scare story has been put forward on numerous occasions before - by Mr Miliband himself.

In a separate development revealing the panic engulfing the No campaign, Gordon Brown has today used an article in the Sunday Mirror to blame their Tory allies for the surge in support for independence. Mr Brown said “many are angry that the bedroom tax was imposed upon Scots against their will while at the same time the very wealthy received tax cuts.”

Commenting, South of Scotland SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said: “The No campaign has gone into meltdown as Ed Miliband’s latest attempt to scare people into voting No has spectacularly backfired. Ed Miliband is putting forward the ridiculous proposition that he would share an open border with Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands - but he would erect border posts with an independent Scotland. No wonder the Labour party is running for cover.

“All of these territories have been part of the Common Travel Area since the 1920s, and that sensible arrangement will continue after Scotland becomes independent - because it is in everyone’s interests for it to do so. The No campaign’s credibility has completely collapsed - the more they try and frighten people into voting No, the more they are moving toward support for Yes.

“As the referendum approaches, more and more people are realising that Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world - and a Yes vote next week is the golden opportunity to make that wealth work for the people of Scotland - building a fairer society, creating job opportunities and protecting Scotland’s NHS.”

Electoral Commission designates ‘Yes Scotland’ and ‘Better Together’ as lead campaigners at Scottish Independence Referendum

It has been announced today that ‘Yes Scotland’ and ‘Better Together’ have been designated by the Electoral Commission as the two lead campaigners for each outcome at the Scottish Independence Referendum, which is due to be held on 18 September this year. The two campaigners will now have access to specific benefits set out in law during the regulated ‘referendum period’ which begins on 30 May. These include a spending limit of £1.5 million, a free delivery of campaign material to voters, referendum broadcasts and the use of public rooms.

John McCormick, the Electoral Commissioner with responsibility for Scotland, said: "Following careful consideration of their applications, the Electoral Commission has designated ‘Yes Scotland’ and ‘Better Together’ as lead campaigners for each side at the Scottish referendum. Both campaigners set out clearly how they will ensure their campaigns will reach voters across Scotland and we are grateful for the constructive way that they each engaged with the Commission during the designation process.”

“Other individuals and organisations are also campaigning for either outcome in the referendum. Anyone intending to spend more than £10,000 during the referendum period is required to register with the Electoral Commission, which I would encourage them to do as soon as possible so that voters can see who they are and what they are campaigning for.”

Independence referendum to be "made in Scotland"

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between the Prime Minister David Cameron and the First Minister Alex Salmond at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The final agreement is for discussion between the First Minister and Prime Minister tomorrow , however my discussions with Michael Moore have been constructive and I believe we have reached a position that guarantees a referendum made in Scotland - which is exactly what we set out to do.

“Tomorrow’s agreement will ensure that the decision taken by the people of Scotland is one that will be fully respected by both governments. “The referendum is the biggest opportunity the people of Scotland have had for 300 years to determine the kind of nation we all wish to live in - and there is no doubt that a majority of people in Scotland want the fairer and wealthier society that independence can deliver.

“Once the agreement has been signed it is time for all of us, on all sides to set out our arguments and campaign for the future we believe Scotland can have. “Now the negotiations are over I am immensely looking forward to making the positive case for Scotland to have the powers of independence that are necessary to build the prosperous and fair society that we all want.”

The Shadow Secretary for Scotland, Margaret Curran, said "It is right that the people of Scotland are given a clear choice. Now we need to see the political wrangling replaced by real debate about the case for maintaining the United Kingdom. "North and south of the border a One Nation Labour Party will play its part and make the case that we are better binding together to tackle the challenges we face, instead of going our separate ways."

Both campaigns Yes Scotland who are in favor of Scottish Independence and the Better together campaign who are opposed to Scotland breaking away from the rest of the United Kingdom have released campaign videos both of which are below: