News Digest

British prime minister would be ‘heartbroken’ if Scotland breaks away from UK

British Prime Minister David Cameron made an emotional appeal to Scots ahead of next week’s independence referendum, saying he would be “heartbroken” if the vote results in the United Kingdom being “torn apart”. The prime minister pledged he would respect the result of next week’s ballot, adding that if Scotland opted for independence, he would help make that happen. But he said it would be “heartbreaking” to “break up this family of nations”.

I care far more about my country than I do about my party. I care hugely about this extraordinary country, this United Kingdom, that we have built together. I would be heartbroken if this family of nations we have put together and that has done such amazing things together, if this family of nations was torn apart.

Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking in Edinburgh today

The prime minister made the plea after he, Labour leader Ed Miliband and Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg all abandoned Westminster for the day to campaign for the union, as polls suggest the result could be too close to call. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond claimed the “panicked” last-minute visit by the three leaders would only serve to galvanise support for a “Yes” vote on Sept 18, as he characterised today’s campaigning as “Team Scotland against Team Westminster”. In a bid to persuade Scots to stay in the union, the three Westminster parties are offering to fast-track more new powers for Holyrood.

The breadth and reach of the ‘Yes’ campaign is there for all to see, it’s not about the Scottish National Party, the Green Party, it goes right through every sector of Scottish society.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond