British PM heads to Scotland as independence movement gains strength

British Prime Minister David Cameron implored Scots on Tuesday not to vote for independence in next week’s referendum after an opinion poll showed a surge in support for a break from the United Kingdom. Cameron pledged to do all he could to keep the United Kingdom together and said he would head north to Scotland on Wednesday to join the fray. Cameron’s move made clear that the breakup of the United Kingdom—previously thought to be a pipe dream—was now a distinct possibility. His spokesman said Scotland’s blue and white flag would be flown over Cameron’s London residence in Downing Street until the vote next week.

In the end, it is for the Scottish people to decide, but I want them to know that the rest of the United Kingdom—and I speak as prime minister—want them to stay.

Prime Minister David Cameron

Britain’s main political parties meanwhile scrambled to shore up the 307-year union by pledging more autonomy to Scotland. Nationalist leader Alex Salmond said in Edinburgh that the TNS opinion poll showed the campaign opposing independence had “fallen apart at the seams”. The poll showed the referendum scheduled for Sept 18 was now “too close to call”, TNS head Tom Costley said. The number of people saying they would vote “No” to independence dropped to 39 percent, down from 45 percent a month ago. “Yes” support was slightly behind at 38 percent but had made a dramatic surge from 32 percent a month ago. It followed a YouGov poll in the Sunday Times that put the pro-independence camp slightly ahead for the first time this year, prompting a fall in the pound and British shares that reflected concerns that an independent Scotland would struggle economically.